Cancer survivors show the way

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: On the occasion of World Cancer Day, Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, celebrated their “eminent cancer patients who fought through all odds”, and came forth to share their success stories on Friday.

Renowned television actress Chhavi Mittal is a breast cancer survivor and was present at the event along with Dr Vinutha, an MBBS doctor, who suffered breast cancer. Also was Asis Patnaik, who successfully fought multiple myeloma.

The panel discussion focused on the new advancement in cancer detection technology, as also the recovery rate. “I am a breast cancer survivor. With new technology, it is easier to cure this disease. Also, medication and a routine set by doctors can really help,” said actress Chavi Mittal.

Dr Vinutha witnessed a lump in her left breast and immediately visited Dr Poonam Patil, a medical oncologist, who did meticulous tests and decided on the medication, ridding Vinutha Laxman of the cancer. IT professional Asis Patnaik also came forth and shared that he suffered from blood and bone marrow cancer, which were cured with advanced treatments.

Dr Ashish Dixit and Dr Mallikargu Kalashetty, haematology consultants, and Dr Poonam Patil, medical oncology consultant of Manipal Hospital, reiterated it is imperative to conduct self-examination as many tend to neglect symptoms that cause a delay in diagnosis.

Mammography, MRI and breast ultrasound help detect cancer, while the many advanced technologies in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy help treat it, they said.

Dr Ashish said that people prone to blood cancer should be more watchful and get screenings done as it is not completely curable at this point but advanced treatments can give patients a normal and longer life.

“These cancers are prone to hit at random and so check-ups are necessary. Treatments like immunotherapy, bone marrow transplant and radiation therapy are giving good results,” the doctor observed.