Patna,(BiharTimes): Speaking at the Cancer Awareness Seminar-cum-Blood Donation Camp organized under the aegis of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) at Assembly’s Annexe Building on Saturday eminent surgeon Dr Ahmad Abdul Hai said that after tobacco and alcohol, excessive consumption of preserved foods is the third major cause behind increase in the number of cancer cases in the country. On an average over 190 persons succumb to cancer every day in Bihar.

While responding to a query of RJD MLA Bhola Yadav, he said recent studies have shown that ingredients used to preserve foods can increase the risk of cancer.

Responding to a question of BJP MLA Asha Devi on breast cancer, Dr Hai said women can reduce the risk by breastfeeding their babies. The longer they continue breastfeeding, their chances of developing the disease become lower. Women themselves can ensure early detection of such cancer by breast self-examination.

According to him every woman should fix a date and do breast self-examination every month. She should check her breast by observing changes such as lumps or thickenings. If any unusual changes are found, she should report to an expert doctor without delay.

On Congress MLA from Kutumba Rajesh Kumar’s question Dr A A Hai advised the legislators to approach any expert doctor in case of symptoms of the killer disease and not to go to quacks or people practicing black magic.

He told Congress MLA Poonam Paswan that after alcohol, Hepatitis-B is another major cause behind increase in cases of liver cancer.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar thanked the legislators for taking what he said a hard but ground breaking decision to ban manufacture and sale of country and spiced liquor. This measure would certainly help check the growth of the disease.

The awareness programme was organized at the initiative of Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary to mark the celebration of Commonwealth Day.