P K MAM
Honoring Pioneers in Cancer Research :
On this day, let us first pay tribute to the nine pioneering scientists who tragically lost their lives in the recent air crash in Brazil. Honoring their legacy with unwavering dedication is the least we can do.
Remembering Lives Lost and Supporting Survivors
Cancer Day is also a moment to honor those who have bravely battled this relentless disease. We remember the loved ones we have lost and stand in solidarity with those still fighting. Their courage fuels our collective resolve to advance research, improve treatments, and ultimately defeat cancer.
The Journey of a Cancer Patient:
Cancer is more than a diagnosis; it is a profound journey that affects every aspect of life-emotional, physical, and spiritual. The physical toll of treatment, from fatigue and weight loss to the distress of hair loss, is compounded by the emotional challenges of self-identity and confidence.
Actress Hina Khan, a survivor, exemplifies resilience in adversity. Upon learning she would lose her hair, she chose to cut it on her own terms, creating a wig from her locks. Her story highlights the empowerment and self-discovery that can emerge even in the darkest moments, offering hope to others on this journey.
Pain Management: Bringing Comfort to the Struggle
Cancer patients often endure immense pain, making effective pain management a critical aspect of care.
Advances in palliative care now focus on holistic approaches, combining medication with therapies like meditation, acupuncture, and counseling. These methods not only alleviate physical pain but also restore emotional balance and dignity, helping patients regain a sense of control over their lives.
Addressing Financial Barriers to Treatment
The high cost of cancer treatment remains a significant barrier for many patients. Specialized therapies like immunotherapy, while effective, often come with prohibitive price tags. However, initiatives like India’s AB-PMJAY scheme have made significant progress, enabling 90% of cancer patients to begin treatment within 30 days. Ensuring affordable and accessible care is essential to alleviate the emotional and financial burden on families.
Spiritual Strength: (inner healing)
In times of illness, many find solace in spirituality or prayer, drawing strength from a sense of connection to a greater purpose. While not everyone turns to spirituality, for those who do, it provides comfort and hope. As Salman Rushdie noted, “I believe in the miracle of science, human miracles, and willpower.” For cancer patients, spirituality can take many forms-prayer, meditation, or quiet reflection-offering inner peace alongside medical treatment.
Preventive Measures:
The Need for Vigilance
Cancer prevention begins with awareness of hidden risks in daily life. Recent bans on Indian spice brands like MDH and Everest revealed contamination with ethylene oxide (ETO), a carcinogenic compound. Similarly, the illegal practice of ripening fruits with chemicals like arsenic poses significant health risks. Further, US States food regulators have banned Red Dye ( Erthrosine), a date used in food, drinks and medicine after evidence found that it causes cancer in rats. Used generally in hotels and chefs.
Public awareness and stricter regulatory enforcement are essential to protect consumers from these dangers and reduce cancer risks.
Scientific Breakthroughs:
A Beacon of Hope
The year 2024 has brought remarkable advancements in cancer research. AI-powered early detection methods are improving survival rates, while breakthroughs in immunotherapy are enhancing the body’s ability to target cancer cells. These developments bring us closer to transforming cancer into a manageable or even curable condition. Supporting research and ensuring access to these innovations are critical to realizing this promise.
A Collective Fight:
Standing Together Against Cancer
The fight against cancer is a shared journey, uniting patients, caregivers, researchers, and advocates. By working together, we can break down barriers to diagnosis, push for affordable treatments, and raise awareness of preventable risks.
Some notable Developments in Cancer Research (2024-25)
Calcium and Cancer Prevention: A study by Oxford University and Cancer Research UK found that an additional 300mg of calcium daily can reduce bowel cancer risk by 17%.
Alcohol and Cancer Risks: U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has linked alcohol consumption to increased cancer risk, advocating for warning labels similar to cigarette packaging.
Linear Accelerator Procurement: India has initiated the procurement of advanced Linear Accelerators for precise cancer treatment at SKIMS, Soura.
Vortioxetine for Glioblastoma: A Swedish study found that the antidepressant Vortioxetine may slow tumor growth in aggressive brain cancers.
Biosimilar Drugs: These innovative treatments show promise for cancer patients when used alongside conventional therapies.
The Danger of Misinformation
The increasing overlap of Allopathic, Ayurvedic, and Homeopathic treatments has led to confusion, especially in cancer care, where a focused, evidence-based approach is critical.
Navjot Sidhu’s wife, influenced by Ayurveda, was diverted from Allopathic treatment-highlighting how patients, often dependent on caregivers, face misguided choices. The Supreme Court had questioned Ramdev’s cancer cure claims, but the case remains inactive. Meanwhile, the commercialization of mixed treatments raises concerns, as even Allopathic doctors prescribe slow-acting, unproven Ayurvedic medicines.
Sidhu also claimed his wife recovered through fasting and diet therapy, but while lifestyle changes help, they cannot replace proven treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Cancer care must be guided by science, not myths.
New Therapy at KGMU:
Patient’s suffering from prostrate & neuroendocrine tumours & those with bone cancer were assured relief from pain and received promise of more precise treatment because of radionuclide therapy at KGMU.
On Cancer Day, we reaffirm that no one fights alone. By sharing stories, supporting research, and promoting awareness, we honor those we have lost and ensure their legacy lives on. Every new discovery, preventive measure, and act of courage brings us closer to a world without cancer.