P K Mam Good physical health is a valuable gift of nature. Don’t take certain gifts of nature for granted. Unfortunately, when one is diagnosed of this disease Cancer, its impact on patients is enormous- need immediate eradication. Undoubtedly, timely screening and early detection is the key. According to ICMR report, around 763,575 more males are likely to suffer from cancer in 2025, compared to 601,737 in 2015. Among women the number will increase to 806,218 in 2025 from 627,202 in 2015. The report said ICMR data used for the analysis covered around 10 per cent of the population. As per the reports, the cancer burden continues to mount, recording the highest growth in the incidence rate in the past 3 years. The estimated number of cancer cases in country in 2020 was 1392179 and it is projected to increase by 12.8 per cent, Union health minister said in parliament. It is one of the key causes of morbidity and mortality with the most common cancers include oral, breast and cervical, in women, and Prostrate, lungs and bronchus in men diagnosis with an estimated 236,740 new cases. Further, the central Government is in the process of implementing Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Centers Facilities Scheme in country. The patients are getting treatment at various health facilities including district hospitals. The Govt’s initiative to make treatment available under Ayushman Bharat and other state run insurance schemes should help. At present, the hope of treatment, cure, survival, other than Almighty’s mercy is suggested Chemotherapy. Then, the breakthrough achieved in treatment by way of immunology to take some time more to introduce in India, may not cover all types of cancer as yet. Perhaps, medical science is yet to discover any alternative course for treatment. At the same time, our medical scientists/ doctors/ fraternity are devotedly working in R&D to develop new treatments in multidisciplinary ways, timely and right diagnosis, educating patients, preparing & administering vaccines properly, using multiple chemo drugs or therapies, palliative care, that could save lucky patients from the dreadful disease. Yet, the affordability and accessibility factor is no less significant viz. the cost of treatment in terms of medicines, other interventions, upgrading the efficiency in medical fraternity, mode the investigation departments and avoid crowding by opening more Hospitals in every state with all necessary know up and latest gadgets, many kinds of immune-therapies, pain management are all challenging. Medical science is required to do more research in this area so that right to life does not become sentence to life for patients. Hard fact, when the patients in terminal stages seek help and we are left with nothing in our capacity to save patient from agonizing end. This state leaves person emotionally and physically drained, a heartbreaking reality! Studies have found that spirituality, religion, and prayer (Dava and Dua) are very important to quality of life for some people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Here, the latest reports of progress achieved by medical science, from leading newspaper is below .The new information produced to be experimented, lest it should give an impression that a remedy has been found. May Lord guide our research scientists, doctors to develop cancer drug soon and save the humanity from dreadful disease. A Bengaluru-based oncologist and his team have developed a plant based drug for cancer treatment which has got the ministry of AYUSH’s approval for administration on humans. They have invented CAPCAN, based on anti-cancer properties of SIMAROUBA plant. The technology has been patented for anti cancer agents targeting glycolytic pathways. As yet, not a replacement of chemotherapy but a big step towards opening of door for integrated medicine. India’s first indigenously developed quadrivalent Huma papilloma Virus (qHPV) vaccine will be available at affordable price, said Serum Institute of India. The vaccine for cervical cancer will be available in a few months. At NHS Foundation UK hospital, 2 year trial for breast cancer involved an experimental medicine combined with Atezolizumab , an immunotherapy drug administered intravenously which continued to have every 3 weeks , showed no measurable cancer cell in her body and she was deemed cancer free. She will remain on treatment until December 2023. A team from Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai showcased its low cost innovation Cancer (wonder Drug) therapy that can prolong life of severely ill head and neck cancer patients. Dostarlimab is a class of drugs called checkpoint inhibitors used to provide immunotherapy to cancer patients. These drugs don’t kill cancer directly, they have the capacity to remove the camouflage and unmask cancer cells so that the body’s immune system can destroy then. The trial results are striking as every patient involved in this trial showed complete remission. Food adulteration is major contributor in cancer as such departments responsible for adulteration checking must also be made active. Ample space must be allocated to all import diagnostic and testing labs/equipment. Many official departments have unique distinction of overlooking things even at the conceptual level itself and our upcoming cancer institute is no exception. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women. It is mainly found in smokers but is often reported in non smokers as well. Generally, the treatments available are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, but search is in new alternatives to handle cancer in all stages. Let’s hope thrive even in darkest days of life in our lives, rejuvenate strength, vibes, positive outcomes to have it for health, success and happiness.
