Marking World Cancer Day, Manipal Hospital Rangapani, a unit of the Manipal Hospitals Group, organised a community walkathon on Tuesday to spread awareness on cancer prevention, early detection and timely treatment. The initiative saw participation from doctors, healthcare professionals and local residents, highlighting the importance of collective action against cancer. The walkathon began at Baghajatin Park at 7.30 am and concluded at Ramkrishna Club, with more than 100 participants joining the event. Leading oncologists from the hospital, including Dr Sourav Guha and Dr Pankaj Chowdhary, along with Hospital Director Sanjay Singha Mahapatra, interacted with participants and shared insights on cancer awareness and preventive care.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Guha said India reports over 14 lakh new cancer cases annually, but nearly 40–50 per cent are preventable and many others highly treatable if detected early. He stressed that early-stage cancers can have survival rates of 80–90 per cent in several common cases. Mr Mahapatra said cancer is not just a medical challenge but a social and economic issue that requires community participation. He emphasised regular screening, healthy lifestyles and balanced diets as key preventive measures.
In Siliguri, healthcare experts noted growing awareness among residents and businesses about preventive health check-ups, with increasing participation in community health initiatives reflecting a positive shift towards early diagnosis and wellness-focused spending. The walkathon reinforced the message that awareness and early action can save lives and strengthen community support for cancer care.
