Tag: World Cancer Day 2021

Cine actresses Malvika Sharma & Catherine Tresa join the World Cancer Day celebrations at Apollo Cancer Institutes, Hyderabad!

Malvika Sharma & Catherine Tresa join the World Cancer Day celebrations at Apollo Cancer Institutes, Hyderabad…

Hyderabad: On the occasion of World Cancer Day 2021, Apollo Cancer Institutes, Hyderabad, organized a Cancer Awareness Super Car Rally, to commemorate the World Cancer Day. Tollywood Diva Malvika Sharma flagged off the rally at Necklace Road. The celebrity owners of Hyderabad’s twenty plus super cars took part in the drive for a noble cause and to sensitize the public on cancer prevention and detection. They highlighted this year’s message on World Cancer day “I AM and I WILL” through the entire stretch of the race from Necklace road (IMAX circle) to Apollo Cancer Institutes, Jubilee Hills; via Banjara Hills Road No.1, LVPEI Marg and KBR park. Later,

On completion of the race, the super car racers joined, Tollywood heartthrob Catherine Tresa; Malvika Sharma, Dr Vijay Anand Reddy, Director, Apollo Cancer Institutes, Hyderabad; Dr SVSS Prasad, Sr. Consultant Medical Oncologist; Dr Vijay Karan Reddy, Consultant Oncologist; Apollo Cancer Institutes; and cancer warriors, on completion of race at the Apollo Cancer Institutes, Jubilee Hills. The Racers of the Cancer Awareness Super Car Rally, were appreciated for their support for the cause and were felicitated by Ms Catherine Tresa.

“70% of Cancers detected today are due to our lifestyle! Cancer is the number one killer disease in the world, in our country too the incidence of cancer is on the rise. Awareness is critical to make people understand that minor modification in lifestyle, be it healthy diet, no smoking, waking up early and doing regular exercise especially in the morning has to be cultivated from an young age. These can make a huge difference not just for cancer but for all the five major killer diseases of diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, paralytic strokes besides cancer, they would reduce the chances of being inflicted by all these diseases significantly. Also cultivate the habit of eating salads, green leaves and fruit with every meal, these have plenty of antioxidants that protect you from the five major diseases. Never ever smoke or chew tobacco are even get into the company of those addicted to these unhealthy habits, they are lethal, even if you are one, quit those habits, it’s never late. Adults should get screened for cancer regularly and if detected early, 90 to 95% cancers can be cured. Don’t run away from getting diagnosed of cancer, cancer is curable, millions have been cured of cancer and are leading a normal life.” says Dr Vijay Anand Reddy, Director, Apollo Cancer Institutes, Hyderabad.

The drivers donning T- shirts and cars sporting stickers of “I AM and I WILL” emphasized on the fact that ‘YOU’ could BE a student, teacher, engineer, doctor or any professional, but you need to take a pledge that YOU WILL join this fight against cancer. Your “part” in this battle can range from promising to eat healthy, stop smoking and help others do the same, exercising daily, to educate others about cancer etc. These little efforts from each individual can help overcome barriers of cancer prevention, screening, early detection and treatment.

“The year 2020 has taught us all that an individual’s action can affect an entire community/city and even in countries across borders and oceans, but it has also taught us that when we get together nothing can beat our collective strength. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, the present ‘pandemic’ I would say and on this world cancer day I would like to stress that each and every one of us, as individuals with our collective strength should fight this dreadful disease just like we fought Covid”, I AM AN ONCOLOGIST AND I WILL HELP MY PATIENTS BEAT CANCER, says Dr Vijay Karan Reddy, Consultant Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Institutes.

Malvika Sharma said, creating awareness about cancer is a noble cause and to connect with the youth and spread the message about cancer prevention among them, a car rally is an apt initiative, something like this appeals to the youth and they associate with the cause spontaneously. I had people in my family being inflicted with cancer and I know how traumatic it is, the suffering and pain that comes with it for the patient and the family. Even members in the family who are victims of passive smoking are vulnerable to cancer, hereditary can also be a cause. But the best part is, cancer is preventable, that needs massive awareness to ensure no one goes through the trauma of cancer.

Catherine Tresa said, the message about cancer being preventable is loud and clear and this has to get across to the masses, awareness among the youth about this is the need of the hour. Its just about making the right lifestyle choices, please add fruits and vegetables to your diet, avoid deep fry, don’t consume microwave food, limit alcohol consumption say not to tobacco. Do not shy away from regular cancer screening as early detection can cure cancer. Also it is important to realise that there are vaccines for cervical and liver cancer, please get yourself vaccinated as well.

The colourful super car Rally had luxury cars like Mercedes e63, BMW m3, Ferrari 812SF, Ferrari 488, Lamborghini Huracan perfomante, Audi r8, Porsche Carrera, Lamborghini Aventador, lined up to spread the message on Cancer loud and clear.

This World Cancer Day, experts discuss the urgent need forearly integration of palliative care in cancer care

This World Cancer Day, experts discuss the urgent need for early integration of palliative care in cancer care

Wednesday: Cipla Palliative Care & Training Centre Pune, which has been providing free-of-cost palliative care to cancer patients and their families since 1997, organized a high-level virtual roundtable on Early Integration of Palliative Care. In line with the theme of World Cancer Day 2021,”together, all our actions matter”, the panel brought together a diversegroup of oncologists, palliative care experts and leaders to shine a spotlight on the role of palliative care in improving quality of life of cancer patients and their families.

As per the World Cancer Report (estimated cancer burden in India in 2018), there are about 1.16 million new cancer cases in India. However, it is estimated that only 4% get access to pain relief2. A majority of cancer patients therefore end up living with physical and emotional distress which can ideally be addressed through holistic multidisciplinary palliative care. This is even more beneficial if provided early on in their treatment. Despite evidence to prove this, access to early palliative care remains lacking in India due to misconceptions around it being seen as only end-of-life care by both doctors and patients.

Findings from a survey of 200 oncologists across India conducted by Cipla Palliative Care & Training Centre in early January 2021, reveals that over and above the need to break the mindset of palliative care as end-of-life care, there are also challengeswith the use of opioids for pain relief.

Outlining the objective of the panel as its moderator, Rumana Hamied, Managing Trustee, Cipla Foundation said, “ We hope that this Round Table discussion will spark new conversations and alliances about how we can best integrate palliative care into cancer treatment so that it becomes standard care practice. This Cancer Day, let us all come together to make all our actions count – let’s start talking about palliative care”

The roundtable was attended by Dr Y. K. Hamied, Chairman Cipla; Dr CS Pramesh, Director Tata Memorial Hospital and Convener, National Cancer Grid and Dr MR Rajagopal; Chairman, Pallium India. Other domain experts, part of the panel discussion,included Prof Richard Harding,Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, UK; Dr Naveen Salins, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre; Dr Anil D’Cruz, Union of International Cancer Control & Apollo Hospital; Dr Sushma Bhatnagar, Onco-Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, AIIMS and Dr Armida Fernandez,Romila Palliative Care

Addressing the experts on the panel, Dr. Y.K Hamied, Chairman Cipla Ltd said, “We believe that when palliative care is introduced at an earlier stage, it has the potential to transform total health care. It looks at the totality of the patient, and not just the specific disease.”

“There is inadequate exposure to palliative care in oncology training, and there are only a handful of people who have MDs in Palliative Care. The leadership at cancer centres in India needs to take responsibility for early integration”, added Dr CS Pramesh, Director Tata Memorial Hospital and Convener, National Cancer Grid

Dr MR Rajagopal, Chairman,Pallium India highlighted, “The responsibility of a medical practitioner is to cure sometimes, relieve often, and to comfort always. And there exists no exception to this rule – suffering has to always be mitigated.”

During the course of the discussion, experts highlighted the urgency for collaborative action to include palliative care into our current healthcare systems and medical education through initiatives like palliative care OPDs, upskilling healthcare professionals and expanding homecare services.

The Round Table is the first in a series of initiatives started by Cipla Palliative Care & Training Centre under its #AshaHamesha Campaign – launched for World Cancer Day 2021 with the hope of making early palliative care a reality. Several other national and local events, training programs, capacity building initiatives and volunteering programshave beenkick startedas part of the campaign.