Thrissur: The first objective for all cancer prevention initiatives in the state must be to make available pesticide-free food , Kerala Minister for Agriculture V S Sunilkumar has said. He was speaking at the launch of ‘Asakiranam Cancer Safety Project’ of Caritas India at Our Lady of Dolours Basilica, Thrissur on September 16.
“Around 50,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed annually at the Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cancer Centre alone. As most medicines used cannot be brought under the Drugs Price Control Order , they are too expensive for the common man. Under such circumstances projects like Asakiranam which works for Cancer prevention will get all support from the ministry,” the minister said.
Archbishop Andrews Thazath of Trichur, who presided over the function, said the main objective of the project in the Thrissur region was to work with people under Thrissur, Irinjalakuda, Palakkad, Sultanpetta dioceses to create awareness of healthier lifestyle with an aim to prevent cancer.
Caritas India executive Fr.Frederick D’Souza was the main speaker at the event. Assistant director Fr. Paul Moonjely , Bishop Pauly Kannookadan Irinjalakuda, Vicar General of Thrissur Archdiocese Msgr. Thomas Kakkassery, Dr V R Haridas, Fr. Jacob Mavunkal and Fr. Thomas Nattekkadan spoke at the event.
The project aims not only to support patients for their treatments but also to prevent this killer disease by making dietary and lifestyle changes. It also aims to work for the rehabilitation of the families of the cancer patients. Several enthusiastic volunteers from these dioceses have been enrolled to mobilize resources and work with those in need.