Chandigarh: Chandigarh will host a national convention on cancer on Tuesday to draft a strategy to prevent, detect and treat the perilous disease at an early stage.

Cancer Care India (CACI), an apex body of regional cancer support groups and constituting a network of 29 member groups across the nation, is organizing the convention. At least 22 member groups are participating in this convention.

“The prime focus of this meeting will be on drafting a unified pan-India strategy to prevent, detect and treat cancer at an early stage. The situation is really problematic and demands immediate attention, as records of 'national cancer registry' say that around 800,000 new cancer cases emerge in India every year,” said Renu Saigal, President of the city-based Cancer Sahayata Sahyog, a member of CACI.

“Around 60 percent of cancer is completely curable if treated properly at an early stage. Unfortunately, a majority of patients approach specialists at a very late stage due to lack of awareness. We would also deliberate on the issue of having a national cancer policy," she added.

CACI is also organizing a cancer awareness walk on Wednesday that will be flagged off by Olympian and ace shooter Abhinav Bindra from hotel Taj in Sector 17, the commercial hub of Chandigarh. IANS