As we are progressing and riding up the ladder of success in different spheres of life, few factors are restraining us and holding us back. One such factor is Cancer. With each passing day, it is becoming an epidemic and disrupting our normal healthy life. The civilizations are speeding up with the holy touch of science and technology, on the other side few factors like increasing level of pollution, changing lifestyle, changing eating habits are contributing to welcome this deadly disease called Cancer.

Study shows that, 3 out of 10 people worldwide will be suffering from this disease by 2025, and in the next 15 years or so, 1 out of every 6 person, will have cancer, which in turn implies that at least one member of every family will have a patient suffering from cancer. Cancer is now a global disease, and in India, it is spreading a far reaching long lasting effect and challenging the medical system to tackle such huge population with their diverse genetics, environment, lifestyle and needs.

“Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today, let us begin.” - Mother Teresa”

How cancer forms and functions in your body?
As we know cell grows, multiplies, die and regenerate periodically, but cancer enters whenever any genetic changes interferes in this scheduled process. Cancer starts spreading from lymph nodes. When such abnormality takes place the particular cell grows uncontrollably and develops into tumor. If the tumor is benign it can be treated, but if it is malignant, then you need a thorough process of treatment. Most common type of cancers in the world are of Lung, prostrate, colon (large gut), and rectum.

In India the three most common cancers in women are of cervix, breast and esophagus (food pipe) and in men, the head and neck region and esophagus are affected by cancer most commonly. Over one third of all the cancers regarding head and neck region, in the world affect Indians. With rising incidence rates and limited awareness about prevention, early detection and effective treatment is the only possible hope in the right direction. Cancer can spread through blood streams to different parts of the body like bones, liver, lungs, or brain and it can convert its character spreading to different parts of the body. For example, if the breast cancer spreads to the lungs, it is called metastatic breast cancer, not lung cancer.

Early Detection Is A Better Choice!! Choose or lose!!

Why spreading awareness against cancer is important in India?
The foremost thing in battling with such destructive mortal disease is spreading awareness, as it is the key to a healthy disease free life. In low- and middle-income countries like India, Cancer generally has a poorer prognosis compared to their foreign developed counterparts. Lack of awareness contributes to the late reporting of cancer cases to the healthcare facility. Record shows that the majority of individuals with cancer seek healthcare for the first time at late stages and most of the cases they can’t survive and lost their lives.

Few of the major reasons of such unawareness and negligence in developing countries are the illiteracy, financial constraints, as well as myths and superstitions. Mostly, all these factors work simultaneously hand-in-hand and contribute to its deadly impacts. A timely and effective awareness campaign can empower the individuals to recognize warning signs and seek timely medical attention, thereby improving treatment outcomes and survival rates.

"Don't let pain define you, let it refine you." - Tim Fargo

Advancements and innovation in Cancer Treatments
Detecting cancer early is one of the best ways to increase the chance of conquering cancer. Screening is an important preventive measure in cancer control. But densely populated countries like India most of the screening tests are available at higher centers only and moreover the methods are not adequately utilized. Studies on cancer awareness and attitude towards screening in India are limited, which is most significant reason for such difficulties. Awareness the cancer screening procedures will help in early diagnosis and subsequent treatment and a better outcome.

With the revolution of technologies in medical science, oncology has witnessed a remarkable breakthrough. Few of such cutting-edge methods and machineries are Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), Genomic Medicine, Next-Generation Cancer Organoids, Nanoparticles, and Pressurized Intra peritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC). Machine Learning has been used to view medical images, like mammograms for breast cancer or scans for brain tumors. Chemotherapies, radiotherapies, and surgeries have been the savior for the helpless faces for decades, but every single day, revolutionary advancements are made by scientists and researchers across the globe, reshaping the landscape of oncology.

Let’s see the most renowned institution which are exemplifying strong commitment to cutting-edge technology across the country and springing up the dying hopes of the patients.

Fortis Cancer Institute:
It is a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India and one of the largest healthcare organizations in the country with 28 healthcare facilities, 4,500+ operational beds and over 400 diagnostic centers. Their department of oncology is offering a comprehensive care in diagnosing and treating patients of all ages, suffering from solid tumors and haematological malignancies.

The Oncology team is highly experienced in early detection of cancers and their management with the help of finest and advanced techniques. The expert oncologists are specialized in offering comprehensive preoperative preparations, careful monitoring of the problem and quality postoperative care to the inpatients.

They are using advanced BRCA gene test to routinely perform on women at average risk of breast and ovarian cancers, conducting breast Self-exam for generating awareness for breast cancer, CA 125 to measure the amount of the protein CA 125 (cancer antigen 125) in your blood for monitoring certain cancers during and after treatment, the human papillomavirus (HPV) test to detect the presence of human papillomavirus, a virus that can lead to the development of genital warts, abnormal cervical cells or cervical cancer.

HCG Cancer Centre:
This is one of the trailblazers of advanced oncology and a distinguished centre of excellence for its innovative treatment protocols, cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technology.

It is the first center to introduce cyclotron facility and PET CT technology within its unit, enabling advanced and precise cancer diagnosis. They are providing a 360-degree approach to cancer care spanning prevention, screening, second opinions, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative or supportive care.

Their enthusiastic endeavor of curing the patients through delivering high-quality, specialized, and result-oriented cancer treatments which is demonstrated through patient-centric approaches, such as value-based medicine, multidisciplinary care, tumor board meetings, and personalized treatment planning. They are the early adopter of Ethos Adaptive Radiation Therapy Platform, and Karnataka’s first digital PET CT scanner for cancer diagnosis. They are the pioneer of digitizing the histopathology workflow for primary diagnosis, further enhancing accuracy and efficiency.

Cytecare Hospital:
This medical institution demands to provide care at a cellular level. With the principle ‘Fighting Cancer the Right Way’ they are offering highly specialized, modern diagnostic services, treatment and care for cancer. In their opinion, every cancer has its different characteristics, so specialized treatment is necessary to be provided for each with utmost time-to-time care.

They are practitioners of researched methodologies of cancer treatment. Their multidisciplinary team of clinicians is strongly guided by national as well as global protocols such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), National Health Service (NHS), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Tata Memorial Hospital.

Cytecare promotes deeper understanding of individuals and their treatments. Unlike other diseases, in cancer management more than one specialist are often involved in the treatment of various phases of the disease trajectory. Their integrated cancer care program surrounds the patient with all levels of care from the screening, diagnosis, treatment to rehabilitation. They offer top-notch treatment through Biopsy, Pathology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Interventional radiology, Psycho Oncology, Pain and palliative treatment, Reconstruction, Comorbidity management, Diet and nutrition, Rehabilitation and home care. Their clinical lab got accreditation from NABH. They have been recognized by Indian Association of Palliative Care, awarded Times Healthcare Achievers.

TATA Memorial Hospital:
It is a pioneer institution for Cancer Treatment and research center for the same. They are closely associated with the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC). Nearly 25,000 patients visit the clinics each year, not only from all over India but from neighboring countries as well. About 60 percent of patients seeking primary care are treated free of charge. Over 250 students, medical professionals, scientists and technicians undergo training at the hospital.

The centre has collaborative initiatives with the World Health Organisation(WHO), The National Institute of Health, Washington DC (USA), IARC, Lyon (France) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Cutting edge technologies are being used to cure the cancer like Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, Volumetric Image Guided Radiation Therapy, Volumetric Image Guided Radiation Therapy, Stereotactic Radiotherapy, Rapid Arc or Volumetric Arc. They use robotic surgery, with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional techniques.

Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology:
It is a renowned charitable institute by the Endowment Department of Karnataka, considering its commitment for services to poor cancer patients. It is a tertiary cancer treating hub and research institute, provided with all the latest devices and machineries needed for cancer treatment. They offer Radiation Oncology services using high energy X-rays to many cancer patients. Also they use advanced technologies like Teletherapy using external beam radiation.

In radiation they use Linear Accelerator (seven), HDR Brachy therapy (three), Ultrasound guided and MRI based Brachytherapy, including Permanent Implant Brachytherapy. They have started top-notch technologies like IGRT, VMAT, SRS/SRT, Total skin electrons, Total body irradiation for BMT, Respiratory gating, Tumor motion management/Symmetry/Adaptive RT etc. the people belong to BPL or just earning above the level of BPL, are provided affordable treatment for cancer and sometimes they get the whole treatment free of charge.

Awareness Is Power! Heal Right and Smile Bright!!

Last but not the least, there is a dire need to strengthen the awareness of cancer because the most common reason for delayed healthcare seeking was the failure to recognize a symptom as suspicious. 4 out of every 10 cancers can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle, but in between the hustle bustle of life we tend to overlook our health. So, if awareness campaigns are arranged frequently in every location, in higher number, the people might not forget to identify the initial signs and reach out to a specialist. Each year 4th February is celebrated as World Cancer Day to commemorate the lost fighters and encourage and re-energize the existing fighters.

Never ever give up hope, fight like a brave knight till the end with a bright smile!!!