SHILLONG: The Association of Oncologists of Northeast India (AONEI), supported by the Indian Association of Surgical Oncology (IASO), conducted a one-day Continuing Medical Education programme for doctors on June 10 in the city.
Meghalaya has the highest incidence of esophageal cancer and the focus of the programme was esophageal and laryngeal cancer.
Nearly 90 doctors attended the programme, said Dr Caleb Harris, the organising secretary and the surgical oncologist at NEIGRIHMS.
Dr D.M Thappa, Director, NEIGRIHMS in his inaugural address said that a 252-bed regional cancer centre being constructed and will be completed by October 2019, which will have state-of-the-art facilities for cancer care.
The scientific deliberations were focused on how to reduce these cancers and the latest trends in treating the disease.
Speakers from all over the country shared their knowledge and experiences in the field.
Dr George K., Thoracic Surgeon from Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Mumbai, said though surgery is the mainstay of treatment for esophageal cancer, most of the patients come in the advanced stage needing chemotherapy and radiotherapy prior to the surgery.
This was reiterated by Dr Sarbani Ghosh Laskar, Professor of Radiation Oncology, TMH.
Dr Ravi Kannan, Director, Cachar Cancer Centre in Silchar, elaborated on the various steps that can be taken to prevent these cancers, the most important being the cessation of use of tobacco, alcohol and betel nut.
AONEI strives to improve cancer care and awareness in the North East, with the members being medical, radiation and surgical oncologists, with specialists from allied fields.
IASO is the association for surgical oncologists and comprises over 1,100 members as said by Dr R. Toprani, who also participated in the event.
