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November = Lung + Stomach + Pancreas Cancer

n the occasion of the month of November being Lung, Stomach and Pancreas Awareness Month, Nepal Cancer Relief Society (NCRS) in conjunction with NCRS Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, NCRS Bhaktapur Branch Office and Nari Sewa Saving and Credit Co-operative Ltd. Bhaktapur, organized an awareness program on Lung, Stomach and Pancreas Cancer, on 23rd Kartik, 2071 (Sunday). Since majority of 174 participants were female, the speakers also added in Cervical and Breast Cancer topics in their presentation.

The program started with dais-call to Mr. Lokendra Kumar Shrestha (NCRS President) as the Chief Guest, Mrs. Shobha Bijukchey (Cancer Survivor) as a Special Guest, Dr. Prakash Raj Neupane (NCRS Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital Medicl Director) as the main speaker, Mr. Shigehisa Ozawa (JICA Senior Volunteer) as a Special Guest,  Mr. Ananta Dhaubadel (NCRS Treasurer), Mr. Shridhar Rathore (NCRS Bhaktapur Branch Office President), Mr. Ashok Amatya (NCRS Siraha Branch Office President), Ms. Roshani Bajracharya (NCRS Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital Sister) as Assistant Speaker and Ms. Sahana Pasakhal (Secretary of NCRS Bhaktapur Branch Office, Mr. Dhanman Shrestha (President of Nepal Bharat Maitri Sangh – Bhaktapur) and President of Nari Sewa Saving and Credit Co-operative Ltd.) as the Program Manager.

This was followed by a short welcome speech by Ms. Pasakhal and Personal Experience by Cancer Survivor Mrs. Bijukchey. Mrs. Bijukchey encouraged the participants to get early and regular check-up so that they would not have to go through troubles she went through during the treatment. Even though, as she said, it was tough for her, her family and the doctors made it relatively easy. She emphasized everyone that the cancer treatment that patients get in Nepal is not so different than that in other countries, but rather it is cheaper and much more accessible.

Then, Mr. Ozawa, in his basic yet engaging Nepali, greeted all the participants and told them about his experiences in Nepal and with JICA, and applauded the program managing team to come up with such educational programs. The closing remarks were done by Mr. Shrestha emphasizing to quit tobacco which is one of the known major factors causing cancer. He even pointed out the trend of more hospitals and clinics being built like mushrooms in the country and people are still obscured by the word "Private" which means "Best Service" to them. He refuted this and enlightened the audience the service provided many public hospitals are no less "best" but rather they are cheaper and accessible to many citizens than the private ones. He concluded by encouraging people again to share what they would learn in the program to their family members and relatives so that at least everyone in Bhaktapur is aware of cancer prevention and treatment facilities.

After this short pre-presentation program, Dr. Neupane with Ms. Bajracharya presented on Lung, Stomach, Pancreas, Breast and Cervical Cancers.