Awareness session to highlight advancements in cancer treatment

Patna, 14th May 2022: Max Institute of Cancer Care, Saket organised a public awareness session, today. It highlighted the importance of collaborative disease management, advanced treatment modalities and key role of early diagnosis of cancer.

With advancement of technology, minimal access cancer surgeries have become a common place. It facilitates early recovery. People need to be aware that with recent advancements in oncology, cancer is treatable and potentially curable. Early diagnosis of cancer increases the chance of cure and gives a better quality of life. Best outcome is achieved with focus and collaboration. Our disease management groups and comprehensive tumour boards helps us achieve this, said Dr. Harit Chaturvedi. 

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and is known to affect more than 2.3 million women in a year and accounts for roughly 12% of the global cancer burden. Surgery remains the cornerstone of management of non-metastatic breast cancer and can be broadly categorized into Mastectomy and Breast Conservation Surgery (BCS). With improved surgical techniques, earlier stage at detection and greater focus on quality of life, BCS is increasingly becoming the preferred option for a majority of our patients.

“The evolution of oncoplasty techniques (usage of plastic surgery principles along with oncology principles) to ensure negative cancer free margins and a breast with almost normal size, shape and symmetry has drastically improved cosmetic outcomes after BCS. To achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients, close coordination between the breast surgeon, medical and radiation oncologist, plastic surgeon, pathologist and radiologist etc. is a must. In today’s day and age, where BCS is offered even in multifocal and certain locally advanced cancers, correct radiological mapping in tandem with a breast radiologist, usage of oncoplasty techniques and detailed histopathological analysis along with frozen section usage leads to radical improvement in both short term and long-term results.” Said Dr. Harit Chaturvedi, Chairman, Max Institute of Cancer Care.

As a group gastrointestinal cancer are the most common cancers globally. With current treatment, various types of cancers even in the advanced stages have shown decent outcomes and improved survival rates. Minimally invasive surgeries have numerous advantages for patients in comparison to traditional surgeries including minimal scars, faster recovery, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and lesser post-surgery complications. With the advanced surgical technologies like da Vinci robotic-assisted surgeries, we are able to perform these procedures more efficiently with minimal post-operative care and faster recovery. The treatment of GI cancers requires multidisciplinary approach and advanced surgical skillset” said Dr. Nikhil Agrawal, Director, GI-HPB Surgical Oncology. 

With the recent advancements in the treatment modalities for cancer, various types of cancers even in the last stages have shown decent outcomes and improved patient survival rates, in the recent past. Minimally invasive surgeries have numerous advantages for patients in comparison to traditional surgeries including minimal scars, faster recovery, reduced pain, shorter duration of hospital stays, and lesser post-surgery complications. With the advanced surgical technologies like da Vinci robotic-assisted surgeries, we are able to perform these procedures more efficiently with minimal post-operative care and faster recovery. In fact, the preference for Robotic Surgery has increased after the pandemic since it reduces hospital stay and post-surgical complications” Said Dr Gagan Gautam, Director Urological Oncology & Robotic Surgery, Max Hospital Saket.

“Newer machines and delivery techniques like Tomotherapy (Radixact-X9), IGRT, VMAT, RapidArc, Radiosurgery, Stereotactic radiation, proton beam therapy etc. have provided precise treatment delivery with fewer side effects. Together, these increase chance of cure and better quality of life. At Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, Delhi, almost all of these cutting edge and advanced radiation machines and technologies are available for treating all possible cancer and non-cancerous situations.” Said Dr Dodul Mondal, Associate Director, Radiation Oncology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, Delhi.

Despite the advances in cancer therapy, we still lag behind in diagnosing early cancer. Colon or large bowel cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in late stages. Symptoms such as persistent change in bowel habit, rectal bleeding and weight loss should not be ignored. We have to increase the awareness of signs and symptoms in general population and encourage people to get themselves tested early. Screening is extremely effective in detecting and preventing colon cancer. Stool tests looking for occult or hidden blood is widely available and are an effective screening tool. Colonoscopy is the gold standard procedure for screening. Early-stage cancer can also be detected and treated during the colonoscopy procedure. Promoting a healthy lifestyle reduces the cancer risk. At risk population should be encouraged to undergo regular recommended check-ups.” Said Dr. Abhishek Deo, Principal Consultant - Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Endoscopy, Max Hospital Saket.