 Noted film actor and DMK MP Sarath Kumar admitted on May 31 that actors did set a bad example to society by making cigarette-smoking look glamorous. Participating in the Anti-Tobacco Day programme at the Apollo Specialty Hospital in Teynampet, Sarath Kumar said he did not smoke but felt that even if a small percentage of the youth was influenced by actors smoking cigarettes, it was upto the actors and the film industry to ensure that they did not induce the youth to take to smoking.
Sarath Kumar launched the Apollo Comprehensice Cancer Screening Package at the hospital on Monday. He partially agreed with Pattali Makkal Katchi
(PMK) founder Dr S Ramadoss that film actors set a wrong example to the youth by glamorousing smoking on the silver screen. However, only a section of the population was influenced by movies, Sarath Kumar said and stressed the need for more steps to prevent the onset of cancer rather than try to fight the disease later.
 He said efforts should be made to identify the root causes why people, especially the youth took to smoking. Cinema was only one factor. Perhaps, the youth felt it was manly to smoke or they looked glamorous if they smoked. This line of thinking should be corrected. He assured the help of the film industry in tackling such issues and in launching a people's movement against smoking and cancer. One way would be to encourage the youth to take to health and fitness programmes and drive home the message that smoking would affect health and wellness.
 Pretha Reddy, managing director of the hospital, said May 31st every year would be observed as World No Tobacco Day. On this day, the hazards of tobacco abuse are highlighted, as are the health gains which tobacco cessation guarantees. In keeping with this objective, an awareness and education programme was launched at the Apollo Specialty Hospital. The primary focus was on tobacco-related cancers.
The principal elements of the programme were the launch of the Apollo Comprehensive Cancer Screening Package, organizing a week-long Basic Cancer Screening camp and a Wellness Talk by two specialists on tobacco-related cancers.
The Apollo Comprehensive Cancer Screening Package has been developed for both men and women at a fee of Rs. 1000. They can walk in at the Apollo Specialty Hospital and avail the following,
Male patients can avail:
1. Clinical examination of oral cavity
2. Indirect laryngoscopy to examine oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx
3. Digital Rectal Examination (ORE)
4. PSA for men above the age of 40 years
5. Faecal Occult Blood test
6. Complete physical examination, which will include skin, testis and thyroid.
Female patients are provided with the following tests and examinations:
1. Clinical examination of oral cavity
2. Indirect laryngoscopy to examine oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx
3. Mammography for ladies above the age of 40 years
4. Breast clinical examination
5. Pap smear
6. Digital Rectal Examination (ORE)
7. Faecal Occult Blood test.
8. Complete physical examination which will include skin and thyroid
Preetha Reddy said, "Significant change in attitude has been observed when individuals have been empowered with the knowledge of a particular disease, especially cancer. Also, we have attempted to inform the public on various occasions that early detection of cancer can cure it. Our packages launched to commemorate the World No Tobacco Day comprises of these elements." She added, "Prevention, education, research, advocacy, and support are the objectives of the programmes being organised today."
 The week-long Basic Cancer Screening Camp will offer complete physical check-up for both men and women to identify any symptoms for oral cancer and if required, will suggest the kind of further investigations that will be needed. The screening fee is
Rs. 100 for men and Rs. 200 for women (an additional pap smear test conducted. Pap smear is the test conducted to identify cancer of the cervix).
The Apollo Specialty Hospital also conducted a Wellness Talk on oral cancer and lung cancer.
Dr C Rayappa, ENT, Head & Neck Surgeon shared information on what is oral cancer, how it is caused and what are the treatments available for the same.
Dr Ramesh B.V. Nimmagadda, Medical Oncologist at Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai provided details on Lung Cancer, discussed methods of reducing smoking or chewing tobacco or both and shared details on the newer treatment options available.
Dr Ashok Anantram, Head, Business Development, said efforts would be made to stress the wellness concept.
 The Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai is one of the leading cancer service providers and a major cancer referral centre in Asia. The cancer facilities include Radiation, Medical and Surgical Oncology. Apollo Speciality
Hosptial, Chennai is one of the few centres in Asia to offer Bone Marrow Transplantation and was the first to perform Cord Blood Transplantation in India. The other services offered include
IMRT, Stereotactic Radio Surgery (SRS) / Stereotactic Radio Therapy
(SRT), BrachyTherapy and so on
The Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai treats a lot of international patients every year and the patient flow is from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman and other countries including from Europe and the US.
RR
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Apollo cancer screening camp
