Abstract 1234
Background
All too often, when someone comes to know “it is cancer” from the doctor, fear of death, fear of being separated and in developing countries, like India, fear of huge financial burden of treatment arises. It is often arises out of ignorance & misconceptions, rather than any reality. In India the fight against cancer often becomes tough for lack of knowledge about lifestyle & societal practices while researchers are suggesting that 30% of cancer can be prevented by a little awareness and changes in lifestyle. After losing my brother in colon cancer because of such ignorance as an employee of a cancer institute I have decided to build a support group to make people aware with my small efforts in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Methods
My brother lost his life to cancer for his disease was diagnosed at late stage. In his memory, I have built a small group with colleagues, neighbors & parents of my daughter’s school for awareness and to recognize people early signs and symptoms, thus enabling them to seek treatment at an early stage. During the year 2014-2016 we have arranged 60 camps in schools, NGOs, clubs and arranged small street acts among underprivileged areas. We have built a small fund and donated Rs 10 per family per week and also helped 13 economically poor cancer patients in their disease diagnosis and initial treatment procedure before they receive some Govt. aided grants for rest of the treatment.
Results
In this venture we have gathered many blessings, co workers, societies, school children even cancer survivors. Through awareness camps we have found many people who are in early stages of cancer and totally ignorant about the disease. Some are seeking treatment from quacks providing homeopathic treatment or some don’t want to do FNAC for it will spread their disease. We brought them under standard treatment protocol. Also from our small endeavor we have helped 13 cancer patients, 2 colon, 5 breast, 3 paediatric cancer and 3 leukemia patients in their disease diagnosis and initial treatment procedure.
Conclusions
In the changing aspect of the disease cancer, proper awareness, timely diagnosis and prompt medical attention could bring ray of hope and can also cure the disease. Let us make small endeavors in our surroundings so that no one has to lose their loved ones.
Clinical trial identification
NA
Legal entity responsible for the study
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute
Funding
None
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.