Chennai: Sixty to 70 per cent of cancers can be prevented if children take steps right from their schooling days. Parents have a tremendous role in preventing cancers from happening in their wards, according to Vasantha Memorial Cancer Centre.

To mark World Cancer Day, the centre is conducting a painting contest for children on the theme ‘Papa! Make my tomorrow cancer free’.
The event will be held at Holy Angels School, Pondy Bazaar, T Nagar, 3 February, at 10 am.

Children will be divided into three categories – class I-IV, class V-VII and class VIII upwards. Each poster should have an appropriate caption.
The contest will be judged by cartoonist S Jayaraj and artist Usha Elangovan.

Schools can send five entries in each category to Vasantha Memorial Cancer Centre office, Ashok Nagar on or before 31 January or can email at vasanthamemorial@gmail.com .

For details, contact: 24717871/ 77, 97910 48379