News And Media

• The incidence of cancer in India has increased significantly (approximately 200 %) in the last 26 years and breast cancer, the leading form of cancer among women in India, is rising among younger women.
• Lifestyle choices such as reducing alcohol, quitting smoking and exercising can help prevent a third of all cancer cases reported.
• All-women Koala Kabs hopes to raise awareness about gender specific issues in cancer recovery and increase publicity for its safe and convenient rides.

Gurgaon, 04 January 2019: In order to raise awareness about the rising incidences of cancer in India and contribute to reducing risk factors, increase prevention and improve cancer diagnosis, therapy and care, all-women taxi service, Koala Kabs has tied up with leading healthcare institution, Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon, to provide safe and convenient transport to victims of cancer undergoing treatment at Paras on the 4^th of February, World Cancer Day.

“The incidence of cancer in India has increased significantly (approximately 200 %) in the last 26 years and breast cancer, being the leading form of cancer among women in India, is of particular concern. Data gathered by the Indian Council of Medical Research shows that breast cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer and lung cancer constitute 41% of all cancer cases in India. Young women seem to be particularly susceptible to the risk of breast cancer”, says, Dr. Deepak Singla, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon.

“Six out of every ten women diagnosed with breast cancer discover that they are already at an advanced stage of the disease. Because treating cancer is so expensive, time-consuming and emotionally draining for families and patients undergoing treatment Koala Kabs was moved to contribute towards easing their burden. We are aware that in a developing country such as ours with healthcare costs forming a huge part of Out-of-pocket expenses for households and women increasingly becoming accepted members of the productive workforce standing together as a community is very important. We salute the courage and fortitude presented by these cancer survivors going through pain, sickness and sadness on the path to recovery”, said Shailja Mittal, Founder of Koala Kabs.

According to National Health Profile data, Haryana saw 504 new cases of cancer under the government led National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke, alone. Several cases in Delhi and the National Capital Region remain unreported.

Significantly, a third of the world’s cancer incidences are preventable. This means that they have been induced by environmental causes and unhealthy lifestyle choices such as alcoholism. Obesity, hormones, chronic inflammation and a lack of exercise have often been cited as other avoidable causes of cancer. If treated and detected early cancer can be successfully recovered from in about a third of all cases. It is estimated that up to 3.7 million lives can be saved every year by such efforts at raising awareness globally.