Tollywood Diva Sreeleela felicitates cyclothon participants at World Cancer Day 2023 event, hosted at Apollo Cancer Centres!

Apollo Cancer Centres & Cure Foundation host ‘Pedal to Battle’ cyclothon on World Cancer Day 2023. ‘Unite our Voices and Take Action’ was the theme of the cyclothon.

Hyderabad, February 4th, 2023: Apollo Cancer Centres and Cure Foundation, hosted ‘Pedal to Battle’ cyclothon to commemorate the World Cancer Day 2023, with the theme ‘Unite our Voices and Take Action’, as part of the campaign being run by Union for International Cancer Control, today at Apollo Cancer Centers, Jubilee Hills. The riders were felicitated by Dr Sangita Reddy, Jt. Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group; American born Tollywood Diva Sreeleela and Dr Vijay Anand Reddy, Director, Apollo Cancer Centre, Hyderabad. The cyclothon was flagged of at Apollo Cancer Centres, Jubilee Hills, the bicycles riders went up to Whisper Valley and retuned to Apollo Cancer Centres, Jubilee Hills. The participants sensitized the public on cancer prevention and early detection. Dr Vijay Karan Reddy, Consultant Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Centres, anchored the show.

Every year 4th Feb is dedicated to spread cancer awareness and marked as World Cancer Day. The theme of this World Cancer day is to unite our voices and take action which is part of a 3 year campaign started by UICC (Union for International Cancer Control) called Close the Care Gap. It’s a plea for all of us to raise our voices against cancer with a United force and take things into our own hands.

Awareness is the panacea to prevention and early detection of cancer. Though the rising incidence of Cancer is alarming, Cancer is curable is reassuring. We need to empower the populace with information on prevention and early detection, that itself will help stem the rise in cases, says Dr Reddy said.

“Cancer is the number one killer disease in the world and in India, the perturbing part is the continuing rise in the cancer incidence. 70% of Cancers detected today are due to our lifestyle, therefore awareness is critical to ensure minor modification in lifestyle, be it healthy diet, no smoking, waking up early and doing regular exercise especially in the morning has to be cultivated from an young age. These can make a huge difference not just for cancer but for all the five major killer diseases of diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, paralytic strokes besides cancer. They would reduce the chances of being inflicted by all these diseases significantly. Also cultivate the habit of eating salads, green leaves and fruit with every meal, these have plenty of antioxidants that protect you from the five major diseases. Never ever smoke or chew tobacco are even get into the company of those addicted to these unhealthy habits, they are lethal, even if you are one, quit those habits, it’s never late. Adults should get screened for cancer regularly and if detected early, 90 to 95% cancers can be cured. Don’t run away from getting diagnosed of cancer, cancer is curable, millions have been cured of cancer and are leading a normal life.” says Dr Vijay Anand Reddy, Director, Apollo Cancer Centers, Hyderabad.

Ms. Sreeleela said, the message about cancer being preventable is loud and clear and this has to get across to the masses. Awareness among the youth about this is the need of the hour. Its just about making the right lifestyle choices by adding fruits and vegetables to diet, avoiding deep fry, not to consume microwave food, limiting alcohol consumption and of course saying not to tobacco. Do not shy away from regular cancer screening as early detection can cure cancer. Also it is important to realise that there are vaccines for cervical and liver cancer, please get yourself vaccinated as well.

“We know the strong force we can create when we bring our thoughts and actions together (winning against Covid 19). We should pledge to do the same against cancer, to not only protect ourselves from cancer but to do the same for your family, friends and community. It could be as simple as being a shoulder to cry on. As a community, we should also strive to bridge the gap of inequality in access to cancer care”, Dr Vijay Karan Reddy, Consultant Oncologist, Apollo Hospitals said.