PANAJI
In a first for the state, Goa will be included in the National Cancer Grid under the leadership of the Tata Memorial Hospital. A complicated case of thyroid cancer in the State will be the first to be discussed at the grid meeting.
From Goa, Dona Paula-based Manipal Hospital, celebrating World Cancer Day, has also joined hands to be a part of the national grid that will look to link cancer cases for better investigation. The National Cancer Grid (NCG) was formed in August 2012 with the aim of linking cancer centers across India and as of today connects 92 hospitals across the country.
The grid enables member hospitals to link up cases that require further study and investigation to a group of oncologists in cancer treatment institutions including Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. Members of the grid will meet occasionally to present cases and seek opinions regarding optimal management for patients suffering from different kinds of cancer.
Speaking about the tie up, Dr Shekhar Salkar, chief of clinical services at the Hospital said the association would help link up cases which need further study and investigation, to a group of oncologists in more than 50 cancer treatment institutions.
“This will help patients in Goa to receive optimal treatment based on latest medical research around the world, ensure uniformity in standard of treatment, eliminate the need for patients to travel long distances for optimal care, pave a way for collaborative research and give shape to a cancer policy in India,” he said.
The step to get associated with the National Grid is of paramount importance, he added as cancer is expected to be a major problem in Goa and India. This incidence is likely to increase from one million cases in 2012 to about 1.7 million cases in 2035.
Mortality incidence ratio of 0.68 in India is much higher than most developed countries where it is about 0.38. This is essential due to advanced stage of diagnosis, limited access to uniform and quality cancer care and given up attitudes of patients across the spectrum.
Also launched on the day was a special cancer screening package, partly funded by Goa Cancer Society, that were aimed at raising awareness of cancer and encourage its prevention, detection and treatment. The screening package is of two types, cancer screening for men and another for women. The screening programme for men that would other wise cost Rs 3,000 is being given at a special price of Rs 999 and for women the package costing over Rs 6,000 but is being given at the price of Rs 1,499.
Chief Guest, Dr Suresh Shetye vice-chairman of the Goa Cancer Society laid emphasis on dealing with the root cause of cancer by beginning with prevention rather than treatment. “So far our aim has only been in treating cancer and not preventing it. More attention needs to be given to prevention of cancer,” he said.
