Cancer survivors share their story at Conclave
Shillong: By and large people are hesitant to talk about Cancer. Many don’t want to attend cancer detection camps, said Dr David Tariang, a cancer survivor himself, adding that he had organised one such camp in Shillong but had just one person attending.
James Lyngwa, Rangbah Shnong, Nongrim Hills, also a cancer survivor who had just completed his treatment in December 2015, said he organised a similar camp in Nongrim Hills but just over 20 people attended.
“When the doctor first pronounced that I have cancer, I could not find my voice. I saw the words forming in the doctor’s lips and froze. Who do I talk to and what do I say? This is where I feel a counselling centre for patients who are informed about Cancer is critical. It enables a patient to deal with the reality better.”
Former Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Ms Bano Jamir, who had Stage 2 B Ovarian cancer, said that hers was a case of human cells going awry. “Cancer patients don’t need pity. They need love and support from family and friends. I was fortunate that the Government allowed me to work at my own pace while I was recovering because work is therapeutic. In Nagaland we need palliative care to help cancer patients deal with their situation better.
Ms Jamir lamented that Cancer treatment in Nagaland was still at a rudimentary stage and patients, coming from rural areas usually die without treatment.
The cancer survivors also felt that if there was a peer support group where those who had recovered or are recovering could share their story and uphold one another it would be a great help.
Dr GK Rath, Prof Radiation Oncology & Chief IRCH, AIIMS Delhi and Head of National Cancer Institute (NCI) and one who has dedicated his life to teaching, researching and treating cancer patients at AIIMS, speaking to the audience said, “Cancer is a fantastic disease because it is 60% preventable, 70% detectable and 80% curable. Unlike Diabetes or Hypertension which can neither be prevented nor treated, Cancer is curable and preventable, especially if detected early.”
Dr Rath, however, cautioned against consumption of betel nut, betel leaf, pan masala, tobacco chewing and cigarette smoking, including passive smoking which he says definitely cause Cancer. “40 % of all cancer cases are tobacco related,” Dr Rath stated.
Dr Rath who is worshipped by Oncologists across the country has been singularly responsible for setting up 190 Cancer Treatment Centres across the country. During the interaction with Oncologists from the region at the NEC on Saturday Dr Rath urged the doctors to apply for the Rs 120 crore assistance given by the Government of India and if that amount was not sanctioned for whatever reasons then to grab whatever amount is sanctioned to start the work of setting up Cancer Treatment Centres in their respective states.
Dr Rath also pointed out that patients should patronise Government hospitals and medical colleges because they now have excellent facilities, state of the art equipment and the cost of treatment is very less compared to private hospitals. “At AIIMS there is a Radiation machine costing Rs 12 crore but patients pay only Rs 750 for each treatment cycle. Will any private hospital make treatment available for so little?” Dr Rath asked.
Dr Rath lamented that the Government’s idea of pushing insurance and thereby indirectly bringing in the private sector into health care has also pushed people to private hospitals.
Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, Professor, Head & Neck Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai was emphatic that people should use government hospitals, particularly medical colleges because they are well equipped. “Cancer outcomes are best in academic institutions. Let Cancer Wings come up in medical colleges,” Dr Chaturvedi said adding that Cancer can become affordable only if Government is involved, nor otherwise.