BLUETHON 2024 by Dr Shabnam Bashir
News Kashmir Health Bureau
March is observed as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common in men and 2nd most common cancer in women (GLOBOCAN 2020) worldwide & in a study at SKIMS (2014-2016): CRC was most common in age group of 56-65 years (25%) & around 20% were less than 35 years of age & 50% had presented in Stage 3. Colorectal cancers have a huge behavioral component and 90% of colorectal cancers are preventable.
In this backdrop, the 3rd Annual Colorectal Cancer Awareness event of Kashmir BLUETHON 2024 initiated by Dr Shabnam Bashir , senior Consultant Breast & Colorectal Cancer Surgeries & Executive Committee Member of Association of Colon & Rectal Surgeons of India (North Zone), was organised under the aegis of the Association of Colon & Rectal Surgeons of India (ACRSI) in collaboration with Commissionerate Of Disabilities J&K and Voluntary Medicare Society on 28th March 2024 at the Voluntary Medicare Society Rehabilitation Centre, Bemina. This year’s theme was ‘Awareness is Everyone’s Right!’ The event received support from Care Foundation J&K and Kashmir Cancer Awareness Network. The Bluethon included a Cancer awareness talk by Dr Shabnam Bashir, a talk by President founder of J&K Care Foundation Mr Dildar representing people with Spinal cord injury in which he mentioned various issues faced wheelchair -bound people and difficulties in accessing healthcare facilities and treatment.
Past President of, the Association of Colon & Rectal Surgeons of India, Prof. Nisar Chowdari reiterated the importance of such cancer awareness events and Commissioner Disabilities J&K Mr Iqbal Lone Congratulated Dr Shabnam Bashir for the initiative and Voluntary Medicare Society for all the support in such activities & extended his support for such activities in future. The event was also attended by Director Social Welfare Mr Ishfaq Ahmed and the Founder President of Voluntary Medicare Society, Prof Mohd. Maqbool.
After welcoming the guests and participants by VMS staff, the Cancer Awareness talk was delivered by Dr Shabnam Bashir, who discussed prevention of colorectal cancers by lifestyle modification in the context of Kashmir and people with disabilities. She said the technologies and advancements are of no use if they do not reach the most vulnerable and needy segments of society. Hence, policies and pathways need to be created to make it accessible to those who cannot avail those facilities due to various limitations and healthcare facilities need to be made equitable by making the access to those facilities feasible for people who have any kind of disability that restricts them from getting an easy access to the same because awareness, screenings and treatment is everyone’s right.
The function was concluded by vote of thanks by Dr Bashir Lone Director VMS and by creation of a Human Colon logo by all participants with various disabilities.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness themed caps were distributed by Zydus Oncology and refreshments were served to all participants by Dilshad Houseboats.
