Patna, Aug. 31: Doctors today stressed the need for more centres and an awareness of cancer to fight the disease.

The Regional Cancer Centre, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), for the first time today, organised a two-day CME oncologist conference (Oncocon) 2013, to find the solutions for various types of cancer and collaborate with national experts.

The event was jointly inaugurated by guest of honour Mahendra Singh, dean, IGIMS, Rajesh Kumar Singh, head of Regional Cancer Centre, IGIMS, Dinesh Kumar Sinha, assistant professor, Regional Cancer Centre, IGIMS and Sangeeta Pankaj, assistant professor, Regional Cancer Centre, IGIMS.

The CME has been hosted by Regional Cancer Centre, IGIMS and this year’s theme is Hematological Malignancies.

Mahendra Singh added that there are only three centres and all of them are in Patna.

He further said: “There should be at least 20 such centres across the state. Among one million cases in the country and 15 per cent of the figure in the state, we come across just 300 to 500 cases here. If the centres are increased, we can take care of many more.”

No smoking sign plea

Cancer Awareness Society president T.P. Sinha today appealed to the police to put up “No Smoking” signs at public places, as mandated under Section 4 of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003. People flouting rules would be fined Rs 200 for each violation under the act.