Aarambh Palliative Cancer Care Center

There are more than 100 types of cancers; almost any part of the body can be affected.The five most frequent cancers (ranking defined by total number of cases) in India in men and women are breast, cervical, oral cavity, lung and colorectal. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in India (after cardiovascular disease). Use of tobacco products (e.g. smoking cigarettes) is the most easily preventable cause of death worldwide. More women in India die from cervical cancer than in any other country. Breast cancer is the most common for of cancer in women in India and accounts for about a quarter of all cancers in women in Indian cities.The average age for breast cancer in India is almost a decade lower than that in the West. Cancers of major public health relevance such as breast, cervical, oral and colorectal cancer can be cured if detected early and treated adequately. Cancers of the oral cavit,y as well as lung cancers because of tobacco usage can be prevented.

It is found that

• One woman dies of cervical cancer every 8 minutes in India.

• For every 2 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, one dies of it.

• As many as 2,500 persons die everyday due to tobacco-related diseases in India.

• Smoking accounts for 1 in 5 deaths among men and 1 in 20 deaths among women, accounting for an estimated 9,30,000 deaths in 2010 .

Cancer Statistics in India

• Estimated number of people living with the disease: around 2.5 million

• Every year, new cancer patients registered: over 7 lakh

• Cancer-related deaths: 5,56,400

Deaths in the age group between 30-69 years

• Total: 3,95,400 (71% of all cancer related deaths)

• Men: 2,00,100

• Women: 1,95,300

Cancers of oral cavity and lungs in males and cervix and breast in females account for over 50% of all cancer deaths in India. The top five cancers in men and women account for 47.2% of all cancers. These cancers can be prevented, if screened for and/or detected early and treated at an early stage. This could significantly reduce the death rate from these cancers.

Future Plan

Palliative Care Center: We have found many orphan patients as well as those patients who do not have any support from their families. These patients are living very miserable lives. Aarambh has decided to establish palliative centres for 50 such patients, where they will spend their remaining lives with joy and happiness. We will provide all sorts of facilities for their further treatment and mental peace.

Impact

1) Because of cancer awareness activities, preventive actions will start.

2) Through home visits and counselling, a sense of acceptance will rise in family members.

3) Adhar gat (support group) - Through experience and information sharing, patients' mentality towards their own ailment will change, and they will accept the situation and try to live on happily.

4) Palliative care - Last stage patients will begin to accept things as they are, and try to live the rest of their days in peace.

5) More cancer patients will be identified, treated, and cured.