BENGALURU, February 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Center at Narayana Health City celebrated World Cancer Day on 4th February and the place was resonating with positive vibes. Cancer survivors, patients, their families, nurses, doctors and the staff of NH came together to be part of World Cancer Day that marked the launch of Cancer Support Group.
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Mrs. Yamini Mazumdar, the chief guest for the event inaugurated the function by lighting the lamp along with heads of various departments of Oncology at Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Center. Mrs. Yamini is the mother of Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson Biocon and a cancer survivor. Dr. Sharat Damodar, Clinical Director and Head of Bone Marrow Transplant Unit termed the event as a 'celebration' since many cancer survivors, patients, family members, doctors and staff of NH had gathered together to celebrate World Cancer Day and create awareness with the theme of 'we can. I can' in the context of launching cancer support group on the occasion. The theme aims to convey the message that we can combat cancer jointly encouraging the patients also to be positive and courageous during the treatment process.
The invocation song was rendered by Mili Baruah - a cancer survivor who was treated at Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Center for Breast Cancer two years back by a team of doctors led by Dr. Anthony Pais, Head of Breast Oncology Unit. Dr. Paul Salins, Sr. Vice President & Medical Director Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center was present at the occasion.
Mrs. Yamini Mazumdar unveiled the emblem of cancer support group marking the launch of this initiative and termed the day as Cancer Fighter Day and not a 'Survivors Meet'. "Do not shy away from cancer, tell your family and your doctor about it and always see the positive side of everything," she said.
"Mrs. Yamini Mazumdar is our hero. Despite undergoing eleven operations, this 84-year-old lady is the most positive person I have seen," said Dr. Paul. He shared a few of his experiences with patients who dared to fight cancer and survive. The fight against cancer is not about doctors and their treatment, but the courage and the support by all the other teams in the hospital and at home that contributes to the cure of cancer. They all give in to improve the quality of life of the cancer patient.
This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Santosh Gowda, Head of Medical Oncology. The panel of experts comprised of Dr. Sharat Damodar, Clinical Director, Hematologist & Head of Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Dr. Moni Kuriakose, Head of Surgical Oncology and Consultant Head & Neck Onco-surgeon, Dr. Anthony Pais, Head of Breast Oncology, Dr. Saurav Barghav, Uro-oncologist, Dr. Sandeep Jain, Head of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Suchitra Rao, Gynaec Oncologist, Dr. Sunil Bhat, Paediatric Hematologist and Dr. Diwakar Gautam, Clinical Psychologist.
Excerpts from the panel discussion:
There has been a significant improvement in the treatment of blood cancer - Dr. Sharat Damodar, Clinical Director, Hematologist & Head of Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
There is no age for cancer. Anybody can be susceptible depending on lifestyle and genetic factors though the risk increases with age - Dr. Sunil Bhat, Pediatric Hematologist & Oncologist
Head and neck cancer is a cancer caused due to bad habits. Tobacco and Gutka chewing is very harmful - Dr. Moni Kuriakose, Head of Surgical Oncology and Head & Neck Cancer Surgeon
Being a lady itself is a risk of breast cancer; the other major risk being obesity. The later you have your first period and earlier you have your menopause, it is better for women. Only 2% of all breast cancers occur in men - Dr. Anthony Pais, Head of Breast Oncology
Cervical Cancer is caused due to early marriage and having multiple sex partners - Dr. Suchitra Rao, Gynac Oncologist
Cancer is curable when diagnosed early. Therefore, the right diagnosis is most important - Dr. Sharat Damodar, Clinical Director, Hematologist & Head of Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
There are multiple modalities of treatment to cure cancer and a lot of research and development is underway to fight even a stage 4 cancer - Dr. Moni Kuriakos, Head of Surgical Oncology and Head & Neck Cancer Surgeon
Vaccinate girls between the age of 19 to 26 to safeguard them from various types of women-related cancers such as ovarian cancer, cervical cancer etc. - Dr. Santosh Gowda, Head of Medical Oncology
53% to 55% of cancer patients suffer from mental illness as per Indian data. This is manifested due to fear, anxiety and depression. Suppressing these emotions causes somatic problems that result in mental illness. These are the psychological aspects in cancer patients. 75% of care givers had depression as per a study done at NH. Cancer management also includes care giver management - Dr. Diwakar Gautham, Clinical Psychologist
Cancer survivors shared their experiences and were an inspiration to other cancer patients present on the occasion. Many volunteered to be part of the cancer support group.
Cancer is not an evil. It can be concurred - message from a cancer survivor.
About Narayana Health:
With all super-speciality tertiary care facilities that the medical world offers, Narayana Health is now a one-stop healthcare destination for all.
From the first facility established in Bengaluru with approximately 225 operational beds in 2000, our company has grown to 56 facilities (which includes 55 facilities in India and 1 facility in the Cayman Islands operated by our company's associate company, Health City Cayman Islands Ltd.) with 5442 operational beds as on December 08, 2015 and the potential to reach a capacity of up to 6,602 beds. As on December 08, 2015, our company had a network of 23 hospitals (multi-speciality and super-speciality healthcare facilities which provide tertiary care), 8 heart centres (super-speciality units which are set up in a third-party hospital) and 24 primary care facilities (including clinics and information centres), across a total of 31 cities, towns and villages in India. For details, visit http://www.narayanahealth.org
About Narayana Health City, Bengaluru:
NH Health City is located in Bommasandra, Bengaluru, which comprises of Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences (NICS), a superspecialty hospital for cardiology and cardiac surgery, and Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center (MSMC), a multispecialty hospital for cancer care, neurology and neurosurgery, nephrology, urology, and houses what we believe, is one of India's largest bone marrow transplant units. NH Health City operates a stem cell bank.
Media Contact:
D K Venkatesh
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Narayana Health
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