TN has more women with cancer than men, finds study that covered 80mn

TN has more women with cancer than men, finds study that covered 80mn

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:29.12.2020

More women are fighting cancer in the state than men, revealed a Tamil Nadu Cancer Registry Project (TNCRP) report jointly released by Cancer Institute and state health department on Monday.

The Crude Incidence Rate (CIR) of all cancers per 1,00,000 population was 93.9 among women compared to 74.4 in men, said TNCRP data, which covered the entire TN population of 80 million. This is the highest demographic evaluated by any cancer registry in the world.

A total of 65,590 cancer cases were diagnosed in 2016 in TN and estimated cancer burden in 2020 was 78,641. Of this, the highest CIR of cancers was observed in Chennai (140.8) and the least in Krishnagiri (48.5).

The incidence of breast cancer in women observed in Chennai (46.4 per 1,00,000 women) was the highest in the country.

Commenting on it, professor R Swaminathan from Cancer Institute, who co-authored the study with R Shanta, said more than genetic components that usually account for 5-10% of incidences, or diet, increase in breast cancer could be related to change in lifestyle.

“The mean age of marriage and age of first child birth is higher compared to what it was 30-35 years ago. Also, the number of pregnancies and breastfeeding have come down. These could be reasons but we definitely need more research studies,” he said.

After Chennai, Thanjavur has the second-highest CIR and this could be attributed to rampant use of chewing tobacco there, the study said.

The report also showed that in districts such as Erode, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga, 50%-70% cancer patients travel to another district for treatment while the figure was 10% in Chennai and Coimbatore. “Such findings will help the government know where to place cancer treatment centres,” said Swaminathan.

Health minister C Vijayabaskar thanked Cancer Institute for providing such comprehensive data based on which the government can plan its treatment and disease prevention policies. The report was prepared by the institute without incurring any cost to the government.

Inebriated doctor escapes with police patrol vehicle, dashes it against autorickshaw

Inebriated doctor escapes with police patrol vehicle, dashes it against autorickshaw

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:29.12.2020

This doctor gave the Chennai police a taste of their own medicine. Stopped and sent home in an autorickshaw for driving drunk, he came back after a while and drove away the cops’ vehicle when they refused to return his car. He then dashed the police jeep against an autorickshaw at Kilpauk, injuring three people.

Police said Dr S Muthu Ganesh, 31, a resident of Arakonam who practices at a private hospital in Kundrathur, was caught driving drunk at 1.30 am on Monday on Harrington road. He was returning from a friend’s house when the police stopped him.

Initially he refused to blow into the breathalyzer and tried to convince the cops to let him go by flashing his identity card. However, the police refused to budge and made him blow into the breathalyzer. Since he tested drunk, the police asked him to park his car by the road and sent him off in an autorickshaw.

Police said the doctor turned up at the Ega signal on Poonamallee high road around 3.30am and asked them to return his car, saying he would not go home without it. The traffic cops, who were supervising road marking work on Poonamallee High Road, told him he could collect his car in the morning after paying a fine.

The doctor then started calling someone on his phone and police went back to their work. But the doctor then got into their patrol vehicle and drove away. One of the sub-inspectors flagged down a biker and gave chase.

The doctor, meanwhile, dashed against an autorickshaw near the Gengu Reddy subway, a few minutes away. The SI reached the scene and apprehended Muthu Ganesh.

The injured were taken to the Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital and the doctor was sent to Puzhal prison by a city court.

‘HIGH’ STREET CHASE

Kerala nurses hit by Covid denied wages in Mumbai

Kerala nurses hit by Covid denied wages in Mumbai

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Thiruvananthapuram:30.12.2020

A group of nurses from Kerala voluntarily working in Mumbai hospitals to tackle the Covid-19 crisis have complained that they were denied wages during the leave of absence caused after contracting the infection. They have now sought the Kerala government’s help for the restoration of wages.

A medical team from Kerala had been helping Mumbai hospitals since May and around 50 nurses from the state are working in Covid centres. “We had come along with the medical team in May when there was a shortage of nurses here. We have been working relentlessly and acquired the infection while on duty,” said a nurse.

After going on medical leave, however, they were “denied all medical benefits including medical leave during the period under treatment and quarantine,” said Rohit Krishna, working with a Covid centre at Bandra.

Covid centres in Mumbai have been attached to different hospitals and the nurses working there have entered into a three-month contract with these facilities. “The management, has informed us that ours is a contractual appointment and no employer-employee relationship will be encouraged. Due to the contractual appointment, our wages are much higher than that of other nurses, which is why paid leave could not be sanctioned during the quarantine period,” Krishna said.

These nurses have written to Kerala chief minister and health minister seeking their intervention in resolving the crisis. “We approached the district administration and other health authorities in Mumbai but didn’t get any help. Many of the nurses are keeping silent about the ordeal fearing they might lose the job,” Krishna added.

Edu dept staff sells 3,000 books as scrap

Edu dept staff sells 3,000 books as scrap

Mayiladuthurai:  30.12.2020

Police on Tuesday arrested a junior assistant at the district education department in Mayiladuthurai on charges of selling more than 3,000 state board textbooks, meant to be distributed to government and aided school students, to a scrap dealer. Based on a complaint from the education department officials, the owner of the scrap dealer was also arrested.

According to police, the accused C Meganathan, 44, junior assistant at district education office in Mayiladuthurai, was booked under Sections 381 and 409 (committing theft with respect to any property in the possession of his/her employer). The scrap shop owner, S Perumalsamy, 56, was booked under Section 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property).

During a revenue department inspection of the shop the illegal dealing came to light. TNN

Don’t fall prey to touts, warns Anna University

Don’t fall prey to touts, warns Anna University

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:30.12.2020

Following complaints from some candidates who applied for faculty positions, Anna University on Tuesday warned aspiring candidates not to fall prey to middlemen.

Recently, the university had notified 312 vacancies including assistant professors

(139), associate professors (106) and professors (67) in its four campuses after a gap of six years.

Responding to the notification, more than 2000 persons applied for 312 posts.

"Complaints have been received with valid proof from a few applicants that some unauthorized persons are contacting them saying their names are in the selection list and they can get them appointments,” Anna University registrar L Karunamoorthy said in a statement.

He further said the university is in the process of initiating action against those unauthorized persons.

"Applicants are strictly advised not to fall prey to such phone calls/any other mode of communication and for all such inducements.," he said.

Fans ‘politically orphaned’ but give priority to Rajini’s health

DISAPPOINTED LOT

Fans ‘politically orphaned’ but give priority to Rajini’s health

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

30.12.2020

Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM) functionaries are in a state of grief, unable to digest their leader’s decision not to launch a political party. Many said they were “politically orphaned”, but added they valued Rajini’s health more than anything else.

Namakkal district secretary R Arangannal and Salem district secretary A Senthil Kumar said the RMM office bearers had an informal interaction, after Rajini’s statement was released, and decided to wait for instruction from their leader to decide what to do next. Arangannal was hopeful that Rajini would interact with the RMM secretaries and give specific instructions as to what to do and whom to support.

Till the announcement from Rajini, the RMM functionaries were hopeful of fighting it out at the hustings, they said.

The three-page statement came as a bolt from the blue for many, who had been nurturing political hopes ever since Rajini made his maiden political comment way back in 1996. “Following Thalaivar’s (leader) instructions, we formed pollingbooth-level committees in almost 70% of the polling stations across the state. He was always in two minds. He had enough time to launch the party in the last two years after he made the announcement in December 2017. There was no Covid then, but he kept biding time. It is a big disappointment. He has left us politically orphaned,” said an RMM district secretary, preferring anonymity.

A few functionaries, who joined the mandram in the last two years, are exploring their own political options. “Thalaivar has put no restriction on us in taking our own political decisions. New entrants in the party may look for alternatives. But true fans of Rajinikanth will not join any other party. They will wait,” said Pepsi G Vekatesan, Dharmapuri district secretary of RMM. He said his team had formed 1,400 booth-level committees in the district.

Twitter divided over Thalaivar’s decision to exit

Twitter divided over Thalaivar’s decision to exit

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

30.12.2020

‘Superstar’ Rajinikanth’s decision to withdraw his entry into politics following health concerns has invoked a range of emotions from fans and followers, ranging from steadfast support to outright criticism for making a U-turn. The announcement, which came days before what was to be the launch of his political party came following fluctuations in blood pressure, has shocked many.

But there were netizens who were point-blank about expressing their disappointment over his decision three years after he entered politics. From taking digs about his days as a bus conductor to comparing him with Asad Owaisi, Twitter was abuzz with reactions.

“Rajinikanth is the first person to have left politics even before he entered,” said a tweet. The term ‘RajiniCan’t’ also began doing the rounds. Some took to comparing the actor with the late DMK chief Karunanidhi, wondering if he could be in politics at 93, why couldn’t Rajini. Some fans tried to salvage the situation by calling this the only thing this ‘god’ couldn’t do, while some called him the ‘Batman this Gotham needs’.

The naysayers too had their share of things to say, that they always knew this day was coming. Fans across the world expressed their heartbreak over their ‘Thalaivar’s’ decision, while offering unflinching support to it. “Your health is more important than anything. Let him continue to act and entertain,” said a fan. Another fan sad the “last hope for TN’s chance for change from clowns” was gone. A number of Rajini supporters were seen expressing how the star’s backtracking on his political career had left them with the two ruling parties and no one else.

There were many who applauded his courage to stand up for himself, and said it was his straightforward nature that made him a superstar. “Health and wellbeing is a better choice than mudslinging and politics,” said a tweet.

“Expect the unexpected from Rajinikanth” was generously used across social media to describe the situation. But for the most part, the day ended on the note that the actor would remain #Superstar Forever on Tamil Nadu’s soil.

TRENDING: Twitterati came up with memes panning Rajini’s call to stay away from politics

‘MY RAJINI SHOULD BE IN GOOD HEALTH’

As actor Rajnikanth’s statement announcing his decision not to enter electoral politics went viral, MNM leader and longtime friend Kamal Haasan was among the first to react. “Like his fans, I am disappointed too. But his health is important to me. My Rajini should be in good health. Wherever he is, he should be in good health. That is all I would like to say now. Whatever else, I will convey to you after I meet him in Chennai and speak to him,” said Kamal, campaigning in Mayiladuthurai.