World Cancer Day 2023: Dr. Yuvraj Singh Warns That Tobacco & Delay in Diagnosis Are Accelerating Cancer Cases in India
On World Cancer Day 2023, leading Radiation Oncologist Dr. Yuvraj Singh addressed an urgent public health concern: the rapid rise of cancer cases across India, driven primarily by tobacco use, lack of awareness, and delayed diagnosis.
His message was clear — cancer becomes dangerous not only because of its biological behavior but because people fail to recognize symptoms early and hesitate to seek medical help.
Tobacco: India’s Most Preventable Cancer Trigger
During the media interaction on World Cancer Day, Dr. Singh emphasized that tobacco remains the single biggest cause of cancer in India, especially head & neck cancers, oral cancers, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and several gastrointestinal tumors.
Studies consistently show that:
- Smokeless tobacco (gutka, khaini, zarda)
- Cigarettes and bidis
- Long-term alcohol + tobacco combination
are responsible for a significant fraction of cancer cases across the country.
He highlighted that India’s tobacco consumption is among the highest in the world, making millions vulnerable to preventable cancers every year.
Late Detection Makes Cancer Deadlier — Awareness Is Key
World Cancer Day is designed to raise awareness, and Dr. Singh used the moment to remind people that symptoms ignored today become emergencies tomorrow. According to him, the most dangerous factor is not cancer itself — it is delay.
Common signs people ignore include:
- Mouth ulcers lasting more than 2–3 weeks
- Persistent throat pain or hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sudden weight loss
- Non-healing wounds
- Lumps or swelling in neck
- Long-standing cough
By the time many patients come for treatment, their cancer has already advanced to stages where therapies become more complex and outcomes less predictable.
“Don’t Fear Cancer — Fear the Delay”
Dr. Yuvraj Singh stressed that cancer is not always fatal, but late diagnosis often is.
He explained that modern treatments like IMRT, IGRT, SBRT, SRS, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies have made early-stage cancers highly treatable.
But patients must reach doctors on time.
A Strong Appeal on World Cancer Day 2023: Stop Tobacco, Start Screening
Dr. Singh urged the public to use World Cancer Day as a reminder to:
- Quit tobacco completely
- Get regular screening if they consume tobacco
- Consult a doctor immediately if symptoms persist
- Avoid home remedies or ignoring warning signs
- Encourage family members to seek proper evaluation
He also appealed for stronger community awareness because cancer caught early has far better outcomes than cancer detected late.
What This Message Means for India’s Future
Dr. Singh highlighted that tobacco-linked cancers have become common not only in adults but increasingly among young adults, due to rising consumption of gutka, flavoured tobacco, and early exposure.
World Cancer Day 2023’s theme — “Close the Care Gap” — aligns with his message:
- Cancer care gaps widen when people avoid early check-ups.
- Treatment becomes more expensive and challenging at late stages.
- Awareness and screening can save thousands of lives every year.
Our Commitment: Awareness, Early Detection & Advanced Cancer Care
At our center, we work actively to:
- Spread awareness in rural and urban communities
- Encourage early diagnosis through screening programs
- Offer advanced, evidence-based radiation and systemic therapies
- Provide guidance on tobacco cessation
- Support patients and families throughout the treatment journey
The goal is simple: reduce preventable cancers by educating the public and ensuring timely treatment.
A Message to the Public: Don’t Wait, Don’t Ignore
“Cancer doesn’t always grow overnight, but delay turns treatable disease into a killer,” says Dr. Yuvraj Singh. He urges everyone to stop tobacco, watch for symptoms, and consult a doctor without delay. Early diagnosis could save many lives.
Check Source: विश्व कैंसर दिवस विशेष: हर गांठ कैंसर नहीं है लेकिन नजरअंदाज न करें