By Our Staff Reporter
Bhopal, Aug 22
Celebrating the 65 years of Independence Dr. T.P. Sahoo (DM, Oncologist), Chirayu Medical College & Hospital and cancer survivors came together to celebrate `Freedom From Cancer’ – a theme derived to signify various successes made in the fight against Cancer. The objective was to spread the word that Cancer is curable and one can lead a normal life after surviving cancer.
Misconception like cancer was not curable or that one could not lead a normal life after cancer treatment were addressed as survivors shared their experiences.
Cancer or the ‘Big C’, as it is fearfully referred to, is no longer considered a death sentence. The number of individuals who have survived cancer has considerably increased over the years. Certain adult cancers have a survival rate of 70% or more, while a few childhood cancers may boast of a greater cure rate.
Dr. Sahoo said that in the last few years the medical science has achieved a lot many successes to cure and prevent a number of diseases – Cancer is one among them. Countries like America have taken it so seriously that they have declared ‘War Against Cancer’. The results of collective efforts, that are taking place across globe, are very promising and it seems that we are very close to conquer this disease. The medical science has been able to cure up to 80 per Cancers if they are diagnosed in early stage.
He further informed that breast cancer is now completely curable and added that Cancer cure has entered a new era. Now it is possible to cure certain cancers without damaging healthy cells. With the help of improved therapy more and more people are able to get complete cure. The advancements in the field of medical science have enabled survival of more than 10 per cent cancer victims in their last stage. The greatest advancements have been in the area of childhood cancers. Childhood leukemia used to kill about 80 percent of kids with the disease. Today more than 80 percent survive. Similarly, testicular cancer once claimed 95 percent of its victims; today upwards of 95 percent survive. Overall, during the mid-1970s, the five-year survival rate among adults for all cancers combined was 50 percent; today it is about 65 percent.
Talking about misconception about Cancer Dr. Sahoo said that is always treated as a dreaded disease. In most cases people have seen patient dying. But in most cases death occur due to too late diagnosis. If it is diagnosed in advanced stage the likelihood of survival becomes low. Therefore it is always advised to rush to the doctor when you find slightest symptoms. Timely detection is the surest way to get it cure.
I would say instead of hiding this disease one should go to the doctor and take proper medication. Generally people know about only few cancers such as breast, lung, liver, bone and blood cancer whereas there are about 200 types of cancers and all these cancers have different initial symptoms and stages.
Answering a question Dr. Sahoo said that normally there are three types of Cancer treatment- Chemotherapy, Radiation and Surgery. All these therapies are becoming better and better with new developments. These developments have made it less painful and accurate for patients. Now there is no need to fear from Chemotherapy. Earlier patients suffered vomiting, nausea, change of skin complexion, anemia and infection etc. after receiving chemotherapy. Now certain medicines are available in market which attack only cancer cells and they do not affect other parts of body. Similarly radiology has become safer. The X-rays have become more targeted and they do not damage healthy cells in the body. Likewise in the surgery field various improvements have taken place. For example earlier surgeons used to remove entire breast in case of breast cancer now they are able to remove tumor and the affected area and the breast remain intact. Patients who are in fourth stage of cancer have to bear less pain, thanks to advanced medicines. There are certain gels and lotions that may give pain relief upto 72 hours.
