Srinagar, June 2(KNS): A cancer awareness programme was held at the University of Kashmir to mark the World No Tobacco Day.

The day-long event was organised by Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC) and Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir, in collaboration with Cancer Society of Kashmir (CSK).

In her welcome address, Dr Shazia Manzoor, Head Department of Social Work, highlighted the importance of such collaborative programmes to address social issues like smoking “which is becoming a lead cause of cancers in the Valley”.

On the occasion, renowned oncologist and former professor, Government Medical College Srinagar, Dr Nisar Ahmad Wani shared some alarming figures about different types of cancers and their incidence in Kashmir.

“We should focus more on prevention than cure as there is a taboo associated with different types of cancers,” he said, adding that lung cancer has surpassed all other cancers in Kashmir mainly due to smoking.

Dr Nazir Ahmad Khan, Head, Department of Radiation Oncology, SKIMS Srinagar, also delivered a special lecture on the occasion, on the topic, “Is smoking injurious to health?”

Referring to what he called the ‘tobacco epidemic’, he outlined the genesis of observing the day and shared statistics about the issues related to smoking.

The lecture was followed by a question and answer session.

Director EMRC, Dr Salima Jan delivered the concluding remarks and highlighted the psychological aspects related to smoking in general and cancers in particular.

She thanked the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar for encouraging collaboration between departments for organising such events.

Dr Tariq Abdullah, Producer, EMRC, proposed a formal vote of thanks, while Dr Javaid Rashid, Department of Social Work, conducted the proceedings

A documentary about the working of Cancer Society of Kashmir, produced by EMRC, was also screened during the programme.(KNS)