CANCER IS NOT PREDICTABLE Here’s an interesting case. A farmer diagnosed with lung cancer was told he had less than a year to live. Assuuung it to be his last summer, he made the best use of it. He went on to live for 7 years. The lesson? Cancer is unpredictable so don’t let statistics drive your fear.
| Types | Advantages |
| IGRT |
|
| Targeted chemotherapy |
|
|
|
| ‘PET/CT scan |
|
|
|
| Cyberknife |
|
|
|
|
CANCER UNVEILED Fear is also driven by news of cancer patients who die. This is because, until recently, survivors were reluctant to come out and talk about their condition. That is changing. HCG has support groups with over 200 people sharing their stories and helping new patients build morale.
While a positive attitude itself is unlikely I o core the disease, in Advani’s words, “raising the spirit of conquering disease”, can help patients cope with the disease better. After all, itis not just how long you live that matters, but how well you live!
ONCOECONOMICS Finally, there is also hope for those patients who may be overwhelmed by the cost of treatment. Various hospitals offer subsidised treatments. Also, some centres like HCG are working with drug companies to make free drugs available to patients.
Despite a mastectomy, Mary’s cancer was back. She had two children aged 2 and 4 years and would not accept defeat. She approached Kumar who treated her. Despite all odds, Mary went into remission and lived to see her grandchildren.
WHATS OUR POINT? No two cancers are alike. Like each person, each cancer is unique and predictions about outcome are meaningless. Ultimately, cancer is a chronic illness just like diabetes or hypertension and needs to be properly managed. While it is an unwanted disease, the prognosis for patients today is much more optimistic than in the past, and the future will only get brighter.