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Monthly Report, October and November 2002 Prevention
and Early Detection
Diwali, the festival of lights, sweets and new clothes. It is a time to catch up with friends and relatives and renew bonds with good wishes for the coming year. Diwali has a different connotation for the cancer patient. Burdened with the high costs of treatment and the depression associated with battling the disease, often living far way from their home towns, in strange, hostile surroundings, it becomes difficult to celebrate Diwali with even a semblance of good cheer. It is at this time that The Rehabilitation Centre of Cancer Patients Aid Association steps in to make certain that our patients have the reason and the means to rejoice with their families. The Rehabilitation Centre was started as a part of CPAA's commitment to provide "Total Management of Cancer" for patients. Too often the costs of cancer treatment turn out to be overwhelming even for the relatively well to do. Patients from out of town, familiar with common illnesses think that they will spend a few days in Mumbai, consult the doctor and carry medicines back. They are totally unprepared for the prolonged stay for necessary surgery, radiation and chemotherapy that is involved and often run out of funds. Enforced absence while undergoing treatment or amputation of limbs sometimes results in loss of jobs. In many cases, patients have been forced to abandon treatment midway. The Rehab Centre provides jobs for cancer patients and their family members. This helps patients to earn a living, maintain their families and bolster faltering self-respect. It also generates a feeling of brotherhood and sharing since patients meet others who are facing similar trials and tribulations. They no longer feel alone. Training in a new trade often helps patients find alternate jobs once they are back on their feet. Some products made at the Centre are terracotta diyas and statues, papier-mâché gift boxes and trays for distributing sweets manufactured especially with Diwali in mind. The Gift Shop of The Rehabilitation Centre has become well known over the years for these beautiful and unique items. In the run up to Diwali, CPAA participates in sales and exhibitions held at various locations in Mumbai, organises sales of its own, displays the products at shops who sell them and execute orders for diyas to companies who give them out as corporate gifts. A few days before Diwali, the Centre is busy packing sweets and chocolates for customers. In all cases, customers have expressed their delight at the quality of the items, the unique designs, the attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines. This year large orders for diyas were received from drug manufacturers, Macleods Pharmaceuticals, Novartis and Nicholas Piramal for distribution by their medical representatives. Shops who stocked our merchandise include Contemporary Arts and Crafts (Juhu and Nepean Sea Road), Trends Limited and The Bombay Swadeshi Store who displayed our diyas at their branches at Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore and also at outlets at Mumbai's international and national airports and reported extremely good sales. Friends of CPAA, Mandira Bedi, Shobhaa De, Bindiya Goswami and Sunil Shetty gave us orders for diyas. Over Rs. 25,000 was raised. In a new initiative, direct sales were made to employees of Euro RSCG, Bank of Nova Scotia, Orange and HSBC Bank. The exercise helped to earn the centre over Rs. 30,000. The Gift Shop participated in a number of exhibitions organised all over Mumbai during Diwali. These included Society Collection at the World Trade Centre; IMC at Bajaj Bhavan; Giftex at Nehru Centre; Concern India at Cricket Club of India and one organised by Jaslok Hospital. A total of Rs. 2,34,500 were raised. After the turbulent, yet productive activities of the previous months, Ms. Manju Gupta, Executive Director of the Rehab Centre and her team consisting of Benita Quadros, Ashwini Chalke, Zulekha Sheikh, Shobha Chigmati and Rajni Krishnan must have had a satisfying Diwali. It was a truly creditable effort leading to record collections. Total income during October and November, largely due to Diwali sales were Rs. 23,99,952. Special credit goes to Benita who has left CPAA to join her husband in the Middle East but who came back to help out during the hectic period of Diwali. Negative Portrayal of Cancer in TV Serials Mr. Y.K. Sapru, Founder Chairman of CPAA wrote to Mid Day about the trauma patients go through due to the negative portrayal of cancer on TV. TV serials have a unique opportunity to raise awareness of cancer as a curable disease, instead of the depressing angles shown. Cancer not fatal Over the last six months, a number of TV serials have shown key characters being stricken with cancer. In all these cases, cancer is projected as a death sentence. In a popular serial the heroine is dying of "blood cancer" and the hero is unable to save her, as he does not have money for treatment. Scriptwriters and directors fail to realize that most cases of cancer, especially if detected early, are completely curable. Negative depiction of cancer in TV serials has an adverse impact on those affected as well as their families, causing depression and reluctance to undergo treatment. A lot of time and effort is wasted before social workers are able to convince the patients that cancer is curable and not synonymous with death. The makers of these serials should realize that they are causing great damage to the medical fraternity and organisations that try to manage cancer as a disease in our country. Even if this helps attract higher viewership and more sponsors, we urge them to stop in the interest of cancer patients and also because it is not the truth. YK Sapru, Founder Chairman, CPAA, (Mid Day 9th November, 2002) Activities at Ernest Borges Home Participation in Seminar on Medical Oncology CPAA participated in a conference on Medical Oncology organised by the Bombay Medical Oncology Association November 14th to 17th. Over 100 doctors from all over India visited the stall. An e-mailing list was created to start a group consisting of doctors from Gujarat, interior Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Nepal. Through this medium we could connect a possible donor to a support group in Kolkata. A doctor from Kerala bought 10 pieces of the Rehab Centre's breast prostheses in all the sizes for distribution to his patients. Alka Kapadia conducted awareness lectures at Jain Bakery to observe "Bread Day" on 6th October; at the DSP Meryll Lynch office and at Khar Gymkhana. Mrunal Marathe addressed the students of Nirmala Niketan. An awareness lecture was organised for juvenile delinquents at the Dongri Umerkhadi Observatory Home. Last month Mrunal Marathe gave a talk for children in the slums at Deonar under the aegis of Urvi Vikram, an NGO that performs creditable work in the area. The children were so impressed with the talk that they insisted on a second talk for the benefit of their mothers. October is observed world wide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. S.H. Advani and his group launched a Breast Cancer Support Group at Jaslok Hospital at which CPAA's Alka Kapadia gave a talk.
Prevention and Early Detection 39 camps and OPDs were held during the month of October and 26 during the month of November. Camps were held at Khar Gymkhana and Citibank, Dadar (4 each); Lions Club of Kalyan (3); Lions Club of Lokhandwala and Gokuldham; St. Anthony's Church; BARC, Tarapur; Union Bank of India, Churchgate and Thane; Aga Khan Jamatkhana, Versova, Mazgaon and Bandra; Atma Jyot Trust; Guru Nanak Automobile; DSP Merrill Lynch; MRA Police Station; Karimabad Housing Society (2 each); ENT Apnalay (1).
A total
of 1209 people, 449 males and 760 females were screened in the camps and
clinics in October and 746 people (381 males and 365 females) in November.
616 people were advised follow up. 15 OPDs and clinics were held during
October and 10 during November. 178 males and 413 females were screened.
182 people were advised follow up. Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre The Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre screened 466 persons during October and 338 persons during November. 1697 tests were performed, out of which 1086 were pathology tests. 345 sonography, 85 x-ray and 179 mammography investigations were carried out including 19 investigations done under the Well Woman Clinic sponsored by Voltas Ltd. October was observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 139 needy women with suspicious symptoms that indicated the need for a mammogram were given the facility free at the centre. During October, 122 people were examined, of whom 54 had come for the first check-up and 68 for renewal check up. Rs 1,48,605 were disbursed towards two claims settled during the month. During November 109 people were examined, out of whom 53 had come for the first check-up and 56 for renewal check-up. 4 claims were settled and an amount of Rs. 1,92,777 was disbursed. 132 claims have been settled to date. Three of our policyholders were diagnosed with breast cancer in the last few months. In July, a 46-year-old woman who has held a policy for two years and a 56-year-old woman who registered 4 years ago, were detected with breast cancer. They are undergoing treatment at Bombay Hospital under Dr. J.J. Vyas and at Prince Aly Khan Hospital under Dr. Sultan Pradhan. A third policyholder who registered under the Cancer Insurance Policy last year, was found to have breast cancer in September and is undergoing treatment at Breach Candy Hospital under Dr. Praful Desai.
A number of doctors have recognised the increased incidence of breast cancer in younger women now a days. However, the trend seems to be towards smaller and smaller self detected tumours, showing that awareness campaigns have started to bear fruit. As recently as 5-10 years ago, such women's breast cancers would go undetected until they reached an advanced stage. At Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre 447 patients and 588 patients were aided, counseled and given guidance at our locations in Mumbai-Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre; at Nair Hospital Radiation Centre; Cama & Albless, Wadia and Tata Memorial Hospitals in October and November respectively. Over 1000 patients availed of ambulance facilities, including 52 patients who availed of the stretcher service for long distances. 140 persons were given clothes, 90 packets of biscuits and 70 boxes of Complan, Bournvita and Feredol were distributed. 20 home and institutional visits were made. 7 of our patients expired during the two months.
At Tata Memorial Hospital: Room No. 189, Golden Jubilee Block 300
patients and 595 patients were aided, guided and counseled by CPAA's Halima
Aurangabadkar at Tata Memorial Hospital's Golden Jubilee Block Room No.
189 during October and November respectively. 650 packets of biscuits
were distributed. 70 patients were given clothes, 15 kgs of sweets were
distributed. 10 referred cases were helped. 48 ward visits and 16 home
visits were made. 33 patients were given medicines and toys were distributed
to 30 children. 410 patients were given Complan and Horlicks. 1073 patients
utilized the ambulance facility including 1044 who used the shuttle service
between TMH and Dadar station. 40 patients were taken to the Bisleri factory
at Andheri as a part of Children's Day events. 9 patients were taken to
witness Abhijit's Durga Pooja celebrations at Lokhandwala Complex. "Can I Help You?" CPAA’s Desk at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Private OPD Jennifer Quadros helped 1254 patients during October and 1210 patients during November, providing literature on various kinds of cancers to 698 patients and their family members, helping 454 in filling up registration and other forms and answering questions about the hospital for 1069 persons. 49 ward visits were made. 194 patients were counseled. Palliative Care Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital CPAA's Mrunal Marathe counseled 21 patients, 16 males and 5 females during the month of October. There were 6 cases each of head and neck, 4 cases of abdomen, 3 of cervical cancer, one case of PNET (Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumour) and 7 other cases. The parents of a 15-year-old school going child have been coming to Mumbai for his treatment for Non Hodgkins Lymphoma for the past two years. They would attend regularly when told to do so by the doctor, coming religiously for follow up check ups. They even sold their land to pay for the treatment believing that they would see their son cured. Unfortunately this was not to be and the doctors have now declared the boy terminally ill. He is in considerable pain for which he had been prescribed medication at the Palliative Care Unit, but the parents no longer believe in the doctors. His mother said, "If the medicine is so good, why hasn't it worked so far in spite of our coming here regularly?" Now she frequents temples and offers prayers, rather than give him the medication, which would help to ease his pain. The palliative clinic sees a number of such patients whom it becomes to counsel due to their loss in faith. They are unwilling to try the benefits of terminal care and prefer to turn to religion. Counseling at Tata Memorial Hospital CPAA volunteers counsel patients at Tata Memorial Hospital, covering the Radiation Departments in the Main Building and the Annexe; the Breast Cancer surgical wards. Susmita Mitra related an incident that gave her a great deal of satisfaction and belief in the usefulness of the work she does with so much dedication. The husband of a relapsed patient begged her to convince his wife to take some food, as she had not eaten for days. Susmita remonstrated with the patient for over 10 minutes, but she sat stony-faced giving no response. Susmita was ready to give up, when the patient finally agreed to take a sip of coconut water. Such a seemingly trivial event made a world of difference to the patient's husband who thanked Susmita profusely, while both were moved to tears. At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children 42 new patients each were registered during the months of October and November. 851 patients attended follow up of whom 107 patients are undergoing chemotherapy. 65 patients were counseled and given guidance and Vinaya Chacko visited 8 patients in their wards. 5 group meetings were held. 45 patients were given packets of Complan, 69 persons were given biscuits and 60 patients were given cooking oil. 60 sets of clothes were distributed. Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward 60 patients were counseled and given guidance by Iva Athavia during October and 55 patients during November. 95 ward visits were made. 55 patients were provided guidance regarding alternative therapy. 8 patients were provided ambulance service. 5 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. Rs. 12,783 was donated towards medicines and radiation costs. 12 packets of chocolates and Complan and 70 sets of clothes were distributed among the patients. Nair Hospital (Radiation Department) 75 patients were counseled and given guidance at the Counseling Cell at Nair Hospital Radiation Department by Iva Athavia during October and 40 patients during November. 29 ward visits were made. 10 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. 21 patients were given information about alternative forms of medicines. Rs. 48,079 was donated towards radiation treatment. 200 packets of biscuits and sweets, 30 bottles of Feredol and 6 bottles of chocolates were distributed. 25 patients were given clothes. 25 audio cassettes were also distributed. The Rehabilitation Centre adopted two new patients each during October and November. A total of 144 patients were given assistance. 8 cases of mastectomy were attended and breast prostheses were provided. 408 patients were given rations worth Rs. 52,228. Rs. 27,420 was spent on teachers' salaries, for patient education and vocational training. Rs. 2.01 lakh was spent on patients' wages and Rs. 50,023 was spent on welfare activities, conveyance and diet supplements during the two months. Wedding bells rang for Rupali Mahadik of CPAA's Early Detection department who married Rupesh Dalvi on 29th November, 2002. Manasi Talele of our Policy Section underwent heart surgery on 9th December at Jaslok Hospital. She is now recovering well. Our
cured patient, Manzoor Ahmad Nadeem will be married on January
14th to Afsana Parween. CPAA wishes him the very best in the future. 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, |
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Neeta
More and Shubha Maudgal traveled to Gandhidham at the invitation of the
Inner Wheel Club of Gandhidham. The programme was arranged by Dr. Dinesh
Harani, President of the Gandhidham Cancer Society who has been associated
with CPAA through our website. An early detection cum treatment camp had
been organised by the club at which CPAA representatives counseled healthy
individuals on their tobacco habits. Two ladies from the club were trained
to carry on the work. Among the men counseled was the father-in-law of
one of the lady volunteers. She was impressed to see the effect of our
counseling since she had been trying unsuccessfully for several years
to make him quit smoking bidis. Neeta More delivered a lecture to a group
of ladies regarding women's cancers. A lively discussion followed. We
also visited the Dev Smruti Trust office run by Dr. Harani and observed
the production of artificial limbs, which the society provided free of
cost to amputees affected by the January 26, 2001 earthquake in Bhuj.
It was inspiring to see the dedication of the doctors and social workers
that serve the underprivileged sincerely.