Main Story

11th International Conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care

Women's Day Celebrations

Department Reports

• Cancer Awareness Programme
  
  
• Prevention and Early Detection
  
  
• Insurance
  
  
• Patient Care
  
  
  • At Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre
  • At Tata Memorial Hospital Room No. 189
  • At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children
  • Palliative Care Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital
  • Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward
  • Counseling at Nair Hospital Radiation Department
  • Counseling at Bharat Sevashram Sangh

   

• Rehabilitation

11th International Conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care

CPAA's Mrunal Marathe was invited to attend a conference at Chandigarh from 13th-15th February during which she presented a well-received paper entitled "Psychosocial Needs in Palliative Care". A report follows.

The Indian Association of Palliative Care organised a conference at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh from 13th-15th February, 2004. CPAA's Mrunal Marathe attended the international conference and presented a paper. The programme was divided into two parts covering the medical aspects of palliative care and the role of psychological support.

Mr. Wright Clark from UK spoke on new research and development initiatives. Drs. Michael Minton and Mhoira Leng covered neurological disease and the application of bisphosphonates in palliative care. Surgical interventions and impact of lymphedema on quality of life were examined. The role of occupational therapists that can apply their skills for the rehabilitation of patients was discussed. Issues such as the importance of family support, home care, need for counselors were covered. The conference also discussed therapies like radiation and chemotherapy and their utility in end life stage to reduce and control pain, for example that caused by bone metastases and how they could be utilized to provide relief.

CPAA's Mrunal Marathe spoke on the topic "Psychological Needs in Palliative Care". How best a patient copes with the terminal stages of cancer depends on such factors as the degree of pain he may be experiencing, the presence of unpleasant symptoms, continuing side effects of treatment undergone, the ever present fear of death and even the fear of life and its realities. The importance of the counselor in helping the patient to deal with his condition cannot be over-emphasised. At the same time, the patient's strength of character and personality determines how efficiently he can be helped to cope with the situation.

Different patients have their own way to deal with a negative prognosis. 45 terminally ill patients were interviewed and the results were presented in the talk. It was observed that all patients do eventually come to a point of acceptance. The route followed, however, may be unique. A rigid or sensitive individual finds the path difficult. Resistance and denial may be used as a crutch to avoid the reality. Some patients may develop clinical depression and even suicidal tendencies. But the researcher also found practical or realistic patients who analyse the condition after some period of adjustment. Such patients are not living under false hopes. The patient proceeds to structure their lives and strives to control pain and enforce the best possible quality of life in the circumstances. At this time, the patient requires external support from the counselor. Mood swings are often encountered and must be dealt with, with sympathy.

In conclusion, there cannot be one predetermined strategy for support to the patient. It is important to understand each one's needs and modify the support care in line with their individual requirements.

Women's Day Celebrations

March 7th is observed as Women's day the world over. At CPAA, too, we organise a number of functions during the month targeted for the benefit of women. In particular, it has been recognised that Indian women do not go in for health screening until their symptoms can no longer be ignored. In the case of cancer, such a condition occurs when the disease has reached a stage where it is difficult or impossible to treat. A few years ago, CPAA made an initiative at many workplaces all over Mumbai, which resulted in close to 500 women being screened during the month of March. The target group consisted of middle class working women who otherwise do not make time to look after their own health. The initiative proved extremely successful and many women commented that making such a facility available at their workplace during working hours enabled them to get themselves checked, often for the first time. Also since they were screened in a group, many overcame their inhibitions which had stopped them going for check ups thus far. When a leader or opinion maker was convinced and stepped forward for a screening, the other women would follow.

This year too, CPAA held a number of camps to mark Women's Day. On 7th March, Neeta More organised a camp at KC College under the aegis of the Jaycees Club. The Chief Guest at the function held on the occasion was Srimati Jaywantiben Mehta, Union Minister of State for Power and MP from South Mumbai where the camp was held. Mrs. Mehta spoke to the assembled group and conveyed her congratulations to the organizers for making such a facility available to women. She mentioned that the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee had called her early in the morning and wished her a Happy Women's Day, to which she apprised him of the camp being organised at the college. She pointed out that the health of the entire family was finally dependant on the health of the housewife. She emphasized the need for women to take on the responsibility for their own health and make use of opportunities such as the present one to ensure they remained healthy. The Principal of KC College, Mrs. Nichani and CPAA's Shubha Maudgal also spoke on the occasion.

Screening was done in the college hall where partitions had been put up to demarcate spaces for each of the screenings-physical, ENT, surgeon and gynaecological, as well as the blood test. 145 women were screened during the day long programme.

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Department Reports 

Cancer Awareness Programme

During March, Ms. Neeta More gave an awareness lecture for the benefit of SRPF policemen organised by the Lions Club of Millenium, Goregaon. 150 policemen attended the lecture and underwent screening at the camp organised after the talk.

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Prevention and Early Detection

33 camps and OPDs were held during the month of February and 38 during March. Camps were held at K.C. College (8 camps); Lions Club of Millenium, Jogeshwari; Naval Dockyard (CST); Aga Khan Jamatkhana, Mazgaon; The City Co.Op Bank Ltd, Dadar (4 each), All India Women's Conference; Innerwheel Club of Mumbai, Dahisar; Sunpalazzo, Lower Parel; Brahman Seva Mandal, Dadar; Gulmohar Mahila Mandal, Juhu; RCF, Chembur; Atma Jyot/Lioness Club, Silvassa and Nallasopara; Central Park Co.Op Housing Society, Virar; Lions Club of Khar; Rotary Club of Bombay Hills South, Tardeo and Navi Mumbai, Vashi (2 each).

A total of 1114 people, 395 males and 719 females were screened in the camps and clinics in February and 1093 people, 360 males and 733 females in March. 704 people were advised follow up.

11 OPDs and clinics were held during February and 12 during March. 187 males and 401 females were screened. 136 people were advised follow up.

One lady was detected with breast cancer during March. The 41-year-old lady is now undergoing chemotherapy at TMH. She was given full medical aid towards the chemotherapy by CPAA's Patient Care department. She was also provided rations to boost her nutrition levels during treatment.

Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre

The Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre screened 422 persons during February and 376 persons during March. 1488 tests were performed, out of which 1012 were pathology tests. 269 sonography, 103 x-ray and 94 mammography investigations were carried out. 10 ECGs were performed.

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Insurance

The Cancer Insurance Policy reached and surpassed the 10,000 mark of policy holders in December and continues to go from strength to strength.

During February 296 people were examined, of whom 34 had come for the first check-up and 262 for renewal check up. Rs. 2,63,829.20 was disbursed towards the 8 claims settled during the month. During March 157 people were examined, out of whom 24 had come for the first check-up and 133 for renewal check-up. Rs. 2,40,107 was disbursed against the 6 claims made during the month. 196 claims have been settled to date.

Three policyholders were detected with cancer during the two months. Two cases of breast cancer were detected. A 57-year-old lady is being treated Prince Aly Khan Hospital and a 50-year-old lady is being treated at Holy Family Hospital. Both were registered in 2002. A 65-year-old gentleman was detected with prostate cancer. He was first registered in 1993 in Bhopal. He is undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital.

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Patient Care

At Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre

1129 patients and 1151 patients were aided, counseled and given guidance at our locations in Mumbai-Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre; at Nair Hospital Radiation Centre; Cama & Albless, Wadia and Tata Memorial Hospitals; and at Bharat Sevashram Sangh in February and March respectively. Almost 1250 patients availed of ambulance facilities, including 36 patients who availed of the stretcher service for long distances. 40 packets of biscuits and 30 boxes of Complan and Feredol were distributed. 12 home and institutional visits were made. 6 of our patients expired during the two months.

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At Tata Memorial Hospital: Room No. 189, Golden Jubilee Block

280 patients and 324 patients were aided, guided and counseled by CPAA's Halima Aurangabadkar at Tata Memorial Hospital's Golden Jubilee Block Room No. 189 during February and March respectively. 900 packets of biscuits were distributed. 97 patients were given clothes, 16 kgs of sweets were distributed. 11 referred cases were helped. 43 ward visits and 12 home visits were made. 39 patients were given medicines and toys were distributed to 35 children. 429 patients were given Complan and Horlicks. 1224 patients utilized the ambulance facility including 948 that used the shuttle service between TMH and Dadar station.

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Palliative Care Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital   

Mrunal Marathe counseled 30 patients, 21 males and 9 females during the months of February and March. 8 cases of head and neck, 9 of cancer of the abdomen, 2 cases of breast cancer, 1 osteosarcoma and 10 other cases were seen.

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At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children

12 new patients were registered during the month of February and 14 patients during March. 898 patients attended follow up of whom 632 patients are undergoing chemotherapy. 55 patients were counseled and given guidance and Vinaya Chacko visited 15 patients in their wards. 6 group meetings were held. 45 patients were given packets of Complan and 60 persons were given biscuits.

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Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward

35 patients were counseled and given guidance by Iva Athavia during February and 73 patients during March. 139 ward visits were made. 35 patients were provided guidance regarding alternative therapy. 2 patients were provided ambulance service. 9 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. 100 persons attended group meetings on diet and hygiene. Rs. 18,859 was donated. 200 biscuit boxes, 18 packets of nutritional supplements, 3 packets of chocolates and 2 bags of clothes were distributed.

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Nair Hospital (Radiation Department)

113 patients were counseled and given guidance at the Counseling Cell at Nair Hospital Radiation Department by Iva Athavia during February and March. 42 ward visits were made. 14 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. 15 patients were given information about alternative forms of medicines. Rs. 36,750 was donated towards treatment in the two months. 12 packets of corn flakes, 18 litres oil, 17 kgs sugar, 7 kgs tea, 17 kgs dal, 14 kgs rice and 16 boxes of Complan were distributed.

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Counseling at Bharat Sevashram Sangh

Iva Athavia counsels patients at Bharat Sevashram Sangh, Vashi every Friday evening. 76 patients were counseled and guided during February and March. 5 patients were visited in their rooms. 40 group meetings on radiation, diet and hygiene were organised. 31 patients were given information regarding alternative treatment.

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Rehabilitation

The Rehabilitation Centre adopted two new patients during February and 9 new patients during March. 107 patients and their family members were given assistance. 18 cases of mastectomy were attended and breast prostheses were provided. 562 patients were given rations worth over Rs. 50,000. Rs. 26,885 was spent on teachers' salaries, for patient education and vocational training. Rs. 2.27 lakhs were spent on patients' wages and Rs. 72,024 was spent on welfare activities, conveyance and diet supplements during the two months.

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Cancer Patients Aid Association Monthly Review is compiled by Dr. Shubha Maudgal and printed by Mr. Suresh Mishra at Saraswati Printing Press

Please write in with your comments to: Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre, Anand Niketan, King George V Memorial,
Dr. E. Moses Road, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai-400 011
Phone: 24924000, 24928775, Fax: 24973599,
Email: webmaster@cpaaindia.org

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