Bhubaneswar: Cancer is described as the most fatal and common disease in today’s era. As part of an initiative to spread awareness about the deadly disease, Swasthya Sambad and Kanak News organised The Health Conclave here today.
In a welcome address, Tanaya Patnaik, the Editor of Sambad and Kanak News, said, “Cancer has been termed as a dangerous disease. But, there is an encouraging thing that cancer is no more a sure short deadly disease. It is not a death sentence. Now treatment is available for cancer. Early diagnosis is the key, proper treatment is the solution.”
“Ama Odisha, the CSR wing of Sambad Group, had started a blood donation drive to ensure that nobody dies in Odisha due to non-availability of blood. It is committed to saving lives by collecting the highest units of voluntary blood in the state. Now, the time has come that the state government, private bodies, and entire healthcare fraternity should get together to ensure that no one dies of cancer because of non-availability of proper treatment,” she stressed.
Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Niranjan Pujari, who was the chief guest, highlighted Odisha Government’s policies and schemes to provide the best healthcare services to common people.
He said that the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) of the Odisha Government is better than the Central Government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme.
“The BSKY is getting appreciated by the people of Odisha. The poor are receiving cashless health service. The health coverage amount for women is double in BSKY. The State Government has made significant budgetary allocation in this regard. The projected money for this year is Rs 3237 crore. The scheme covers various sectors,” the minister said.
Also Read: BSKY Better Than Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Odisha Minister At ‘The Health Conclave’
Cancer can be deadly for patients. But it is the most fantastic disease, according to Prof. Dr. GK Rath, former chief of Cancer Center, AIIMS- Delhi.
Speaking at the event, the renowned oncologist said, “Cancer is the most fantastic disease to have and fantastic disease to treat also. Diabetes, blood pressure, cardiac, thyroid and cancer are the most common diseases in our society. Diabetes is more dangerous than cancer. There is no scientific method for early detection of diabetes. It cannot be prevented. But it can be perfectly controllable. However, cancer is a ODI cricket match, and there is a result. Diabetes has no result. The patient suffers throughout the life. Cancer can be curable, but diabetes cannot be cured.”
He said that cancer is 50% curable, preventable, and early detectable. Although the consumption of tobacco is the chief factor of cancer, not all people consuming tobacco do not suffer from the disease. Around 40% of people are diagnosed with cancer due to the consumption of tobacco. The genetic factor saves the remaining 60% of tobacco consumers from falling prey to cancer.
Talking about the cervical cancer, which is common among women, he said, “vaccination is a must for girls between 9 and 26 age group to prevent cervical cancer. Beyond the age group, the vaccination can be administered after the HPV test.”
Dr. Tushar Mohapatra (Sr. Consultant- Nuclear Medicine, HCG Panda Cancer Hospital), Dr. Ranjit Kar (Sr. Consultant and HOD- Radiation Oncology, HCG Panda Cancer Hospital), Dr. Sanjay Mishra (Director and Sr. Consultant – Radiation Oncology, MBBS, MD-Radiation Oncology, Utkal Hospital), Dr. Shovan Rath (Pain Specialist, Health Village Hospital), Sanjib Kumar Kar (Sr. consultant in Gastroenterology & Hepatology) and Dr. Sanjib Mishra (Sr. consultant- Radiation Oncology, Utkal Hospital) spoke about new technological innovations in medical science, pain relief and stomach cancer in different sessions.
Treatment of blood cancer is different from that of other cancers. There is no role of surgery. Chemotherapy has a major role in its treatment, said Dr. Kanhu Charan Patro.
Earlier, the blood cancer patients in Odisha were going outside the state for bone marrow transplant. However, the same treatment can now be done in Odisha with the benefit of BSKY scheme, he said.
There is no way to prevent blood cancer. However, one should have a healthy lifestyle by eating good food, reducing consumption of red meat, avoiding consumption of tobacco, cigarette and alcohol, opined Dr. Bala Stalin Chowdary.
Two cancer survivors joined the concluding session to share their thoughts on the stage.
“I had no idea that cancer can be so dangerous. I needed to undergo chemotherapy and radiation, but I neglected. Then, the cancer went to the last stage,” said Ollywood actor Satwaki Mishra, who survived oral cancer.
He suggested people to stay away from consuming tobacco and any kind of intoxication.
Narrating nightmare of the disease, survivor Swagatika said, “My close relatives maintained distance from me after I was diagnosed with cancer. But I received huge support from people to fight the disease when I started sharing on social media platforms.”
