Tag: Cancer Patients

News

Budget response from Dr Narayana Subramaniam

Jul 24, 2024 by Mansi Praharaj 0 Comments #BENGALURU, #cancer capital, #cancer drugs, #Cancer Patients, #Cancer treatment, #customs duty, #Dr Narayana Subramaniam, #head and neck oncology and reconstructive surgeon, #Head and Neck Surgery and Director of Clinical Innovation at Sparsh Hospitals, #lung cancer, #Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences., #Senior Consultant and Director

Fillip to cancer patients

Dr. Narayana Subramaniam

India is considered to be the “cancer capital” of the world

Three cancer drugs were exempted from customs duty while reducing the levy on x-ray tubes and flat panel detectors used in x-ray machines from 15% to 5%. Lung cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men and it is affecting younger age groups now. Targeted therapy drugs, which cost around Rs 5 lakh a month, are holding out hope for patients as they prolong life by precisely identifying and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. They are better than other cancer therapies.

By reducing the financial burden on the patients, this move is expected to improve access to advanced cancer treatments. Dr Narayana Subramaniam, Senior Consultant and Director, Head and Neck Surgery and Director of Clinical Innovation at Sparsh Hospitals, in Bengaluru. said, “Cancer treatment often involves a significant financial burden for patients and their families. By exempting the drugs from customs duty, the government has taken a concrete step towards alleviating this burden, making essential medications more affordable for those in need across the country”

About Dr Narayana Subramaniam

Dr. Narayana Subramaniam is a national and international award-winning head and neck oncology and reconstructive surgeon. His expertise lies in ablative surgery of the oral cavity, oropharynx, salivary glands, thyroid, larynx, pharynx, sinonasal cavity and anterior skull base, with significant experience in a salvage (post-radiotherapy) and re-operative setting. He also performs regional and microvascular (free) flap reconstruction, with a special interest in facial nerve reanimation, prefabricated dental rehabilitation (jaw-in-a-day) and secondary reconstruction (delayed reconstruction of post-cancer defects).

Passionate about research, he has written a popular textbook on head and neck cancer, published over one hundred and twenty articles and/or book chapters (h-index 14), and given over one hundred talks and lectures in national and international forums. He has trained over 25 fellows from 6 countries and was designated a Professor by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.

Health

Saint Louis Closet Co. Plans Donation to Empower Cancer Patients

Feb 3, 2022 by Praveen 0 Comments #Cancer Patients, #Donation, #Saint Louis Closet Co.

Through their giveback program, Closets for a Cause, Saint Louis Closet Co. has chosen the Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis to receive a portion of February’s sales. This non-profit aims to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by the community.

“We are thrilled to partner with Saint Louis Closet Co. in support of our programs. This generous partnership will allow us to continue our programs for our current participants as well as expand our reach and awareness in the community,” says Amanda Corcoran, Development and Communications Manager of Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis.

The money raised by Closet for a Cause will go towards helping provide support groups, educational workshops, healthy lifestyle classes, stress management classes, social opportunities, and resource materials. All the funds utilized by the Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis are donated by individuals, family and private foundations, corporations, and special event fundraisers. Without these donations, this non-profit could not provide its free services to those who need them.

Since 1993, the Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis has used its five pillars of support: support, education, healthy living skills, social connections, and resource and referral materials to provide essential services to cancer patients throughout the Greater St. Louis area. Each year, their support spans over 1,800 individuals with 10,000 hours of program support through about 2,800 different programs.

No one is like the Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis. There are many beneficial support programs for cancer patients, but none provide no-cost, comprehensive psychosocial support. You can find more information on this non-profit at www(dot)cancersupportcommunity(dot)org(slash)(dot)

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News

Can-Helper: India’s first toll-free emotional support helpline for cancer patients and their families

Aug 28, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Cancer Patients, #Cipla Palliative Care &Training Centre, #Director, #Dr. Badwe, #help line, #Rumana Hamied, #Tata Memorial Centre, #toll free, #Trustee

28th August 2020, Mumbai: Cancer patients and their families in Mumbai and Pune can now dial into Can-Helper – a first-of-its-kind toll-free helpline to provide support for fear, anxiety and stress related to cancer. This service, operated by experienced counsellors, is available on a toll-free number 09511948920 on all days of the week from 10 am to 6 pm in English, Hindi and Marathi.

Whilst cancer impacts the emotional wellbeing of all patients, it is estimated that one out of every three cancer patients requires interventions to address their emotional distress- the most common problems being anxiety and depression 1. These psychosocial problems have become even more acute in COVID due to lack of continuity of care, reduced social support, increased financial burden from loss of jobs etc.

Can-Helper (Cancer Helpline for Emotional Respite) is launched by Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai and Cipla Palliative Care & Training Centre Pune in association with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to address the specific psychosocial needs of cancer patients and their caregivers, especially those in the advanced stage of the disease.

Talking about the service, Dr. Badwe, Director, Tata Memorial Centre said, “The COVID -19 pandemic has had a disastrous impact on all patients and especially those with serious chronic illnesses including advanced cancer. With this helpline, we hope to address psychosocial counselling needs to reduce the stress and anxiety of the patients and their family members. We will also include patient navigators in this endeavour to retain the continuum of care”

Psychosocial support has been identified as vital in decreasing the levels of stress, anxiety and depression in cancer patients 2.

Speaking about this initiative, Rumana Hamied, Trustee, Cipla Palliative Care &Training Centre said, “We realised the need for such a service when our home care team spoke to patients and families during COVID who told us about their fears of treatment being delayed, worries related to their family members due to lack of nursing care support and a growing sense of isolation and helplessness. We hope that callers to the helpline will be better equipped with resources, strategies and confidence to cope in these uncertain times”.

References

Cancer patients are facing serious challenges and experiencing anxiety, fear,, loneliness, and helplessness.

1. Garutti M, Cortiula F, Puglisi F. Seven Shades of Black Thoughts: COVID-19 and Its Psychological Consequences on Cancer Patients. Front Oncol. 2020;10:1357. https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fonc.2020.01357.
It is estimated that the prevalence of emotional distress of patients with cancer range from 41.7% to 46%. The most common disorders were anxiety and depression.
2. Alexander A, Sreenath K, Murthy R S. Beyond numbers – Recent understanding of emotional needs of persons diagnosed with cancer 2007–2018. Indian J Palliative Care [serial online] 2020 [cited 2020 Jul 27]; 26:120-8. Available from: http://www.jpalliativecare.com/text.asp?2020/26/1/120/276877

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News

Cancer Patients, Survivors Face New Challenges in the COVID 19 World

Aug 11, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Cancer Patients, #Chairman, #Dr R Ranga Rao, #Dr. Dharminder Nagar, #Gurugram., #Managing Director, #Paras Cancer Centre, #Paras Healthcare., #Paras Hospitals

Delhi NCR, 11 Aug 2020: As the world grapples with the COVID 19 pandemic, cancer patients, as well as cancer survivors, are facing particularly unique challenges, with a higher risk of complications from the viral disease, the need to manage their illness and mental health challenges affecting them disproportionately, say experts at leading healthcare provider Paras Healthcare.

With the disease as well as the treatment compromising the immunity of cancer patients and survivors, they face a heightened risk of a series of infections, COVID 19 being one of them. The evidence clearly suggests a higher rate of mortality from COVID 19 among people with cancer.

“Cancer patients and survivors are already dealing with a lot of difficulties. The COVID 19 crisis has only made it more challenging for them to manage their illness. Cancer patients and survivors are often immuno-compromised because of the disease or its treatment. A very critical element of disease management in them, therefore, is the need to safeguard them from all sorts of infections. People with compromised immune systems are not just at higher risk of contracting infections including COVID-19 but are also prone to severe complications from them. This translates into the need for additional precautions and care. Healthcare providers must adopt a comprehensive approach to the treatment of cancer patients during these times including ensuring the continuation of highest standards of care, unhindered treatment as well as psychological support,” said Dr. Dharminder Nagar, Managing Director, Paras Healthcare.

Cancer patients and their healthcare providers are facing a series of challenges during these times. Patients are worried about how to navigate their daily care, whether it is safe to continue visiting hospitals for chemotherapy or other sessions. They are also concerned about being de-prioritized as care receivers in the ‘new normal’. For patients whose treating hospitals have been converted into COVID 19 centres, there is a sudden crisis of how to continue receiving treatments.

“As cancer care providers, we have also grappled with several questions. For example, the pros and cons of starting or continuing chemotherapy at such a time because chemotherapy suppresses the immune system and makes patients more vulnerable to infections. On the other hand, stopping or delaying treatment puts cancer patients at greater risk of disease progression. Till now we have tried to ensure that no treatments are delayed or stopped. It is also extremely important to completely isolate the wards for cancer patients so that the risk of infection is minimized. At Paras Healthcare, we have been highly considerate of the needs of cancer patients and survivors. We have initiated special measures to ensure that they continue receiving highest standards of care while mitigating the risk of infection during treatment, diagnosis as well as imaging,” said Dr R Ranga Rao, Chairman, Paras Cancer Centre, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram.

An often overlooked aspect of cancer treatment is mental health management. The mental health of cancer patients takes a major hit even in normal circumstances. However, currently with a precarious disease situation, they are finding it extremely difficult to cope with the anxiousness and heightened risk of infection.

“We clearly see a rise in the incidence of anxiety and depression among cancer patients in the current circumstances. Offering psychological support, counselling, and medication support if needed to deal with mental health deterioration is important in these circumstances,” adds Dr. Rao.

Two studies published recently in The Lancet journal indicate a high rate of mortality among COVID-19 patients who also have cancer. In one of the studies, data from more than 900 COVID-19 and cancer patients from the US, Canada, and Spain showed a 13% mortality rate. Another study of 800 UK patients with COVID-19 and cancer found a 28% mortality. The studies also concluded that male patients with other COVID-19 mortality risk factors, such as older age and additional comorbidities, had an increased risk of death. However, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy did not appear to have an effect on mortality in either study.

Another study conducted in the US found that 10.4% of 1018 patients with cancer and COVID-19 had died between March and April. As compared to this, the mortality rate was 5.8% for each 100 confirmed cases.