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BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to determine the level of awareness of various aspects of cancers among college subjects and evaluate the impact of awareness programs in its prevention and early detection. METHODS This clinical study is conducted with the data which was collected from 1000 respondents. Their awareness of cancer risk factors and screening programmes, beliefs about cancer and confidence in discussing cancer, were assessed before a cancer awareness seminar by the questioner. All subjects who agreed to be part of the sample were given the questionnaire to be filled up. RESULTS In present study, the commonly known early warning sign of cancer was “unexplained swelling” (59.3 %). Further, although majority knew that cigarette smoking is a risk factor for cancer (88.5 %), very few were aware about the role of inadequate physical activity (9.9 %) and diet devoid of adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables (11.9 %). When asked about the anticipated barriers in seeking help; most respondents believed that they would be embarrassed (85.7 %) or scared (86.5 %). CONCLUSIONS Among the risk factors, the most frequently recognized risk factors were smoking and tobacco. Participants showed insufficient knowledge in some areas related to symptoms and signs and risk factors of cancer. Thus, educational interventions need to be emphasized to provide comprehensive information of cancer. KEYWORDS Cancer Awareness, Risk Factors, Educational Interventions

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) evolves from Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS), a premalignant clinical condition. Second to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, MM is the most common haematological malignancy. The aim of the study was to review the clinical profile and response of individuals treated for MM from this part of country.Methods: We evaluated data of patients with MM managed between 2013 and 2019 at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Rajamahenderi, India. Data regarding demographic variables, clinical features, disease characteristics and treatment details were collected and analysed.Results: Total of 54 patients with MM were managed. Mean age was 59.4 years. Males accounted for 63%. Bone pain (90%) was the most common symptom. Elevated serum creatinine was noted in 16.7% and M band in 42 (77.8%). X-ray of skull showed lytic lesions in 41 (75.9%). Mean haemoglobin value was 8.8±1.9 g/dl and serum calcium was 9.12 mg/dl. Majority of subjects, 44 (81.48%) belong to stage IIIA, 9 (16.67%) to stage IIIB, and 1.85% to stage IIA of Durie Salmon staging system. No response was noted in 17 (31.5%), 4 (7.4%) subjects had a progressive disease even on treatment, and 8 (14.8%) subjects had a very good partial response. Median survival of subjects belonging to DSS stage II was 17 months, IIIA was 11.037 months and stage IIIB was 17.463 months.Conclusions: MM has an early onset in India. Though MM is an incurable disease, many promising treatment options are there which lead to increase in survival. Early treatment helps in improving mortality rates, better quality of life and decreases disease burden.

Background: Colon cancer is a leading cause of increase in cancer incidence and now becoming a major cause of cancer related mortality.Methods: We evaluated data of patients diagnosed with colon cancer and managed under Aarogyasri program between 2013 and 2019 at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Rajamahenderi, Andhra Pradesh, India. We collected data regarding demography, clinical presentation, subsite, histology, stage and treatment.Results: A total of 142 patients with colon cancer were managed. The mean age was 53.6 years with males accounting for 57%. Most common clinical presentation was abdominal pain followed by vomiting. Most common histology was well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Left sided colon tumors accounted for 47%. Most common stage at presentation was stage III.Conclusions: Our data of colon cancer was different from that described in the western countries. Young age presentation, higher mucinous and signet ring carcinomas and advanced stage presentation were reported in our study. Socioeconomic factors, inadequate health care access might account for some of these differences.