Here’s a Tribute to Dr Shanta who brought Affordable Care to Cancer Patients!
When we talk about cancer prevention we cannot forget about Padma Bhushan doctor V Shanta, who helped make cancer care affordable for people.
She was a pioneer in cancer care in India who headed The Women’s India Association which is a cancer institute in Adyar, Chennai who had passed away early morning on 19th of January, 2021 at the age of 93.
Picture credit- The times.
Dr. Shanta, born on the 11th of March, 1927 came from a family of high achievers which included Nobel laureates like Subrahmanyam Chandrashekhar and Sir CV Raman.
She was inspired by her mother at the age of 12 when she observed her mother’s life as a caregiverver in the family.
During the times when cancer was seen as fatal or ordained by fate with no escape from it, she would spend her years enhancing the access of underprivileged people afflicted by cancer, strengthen early treatment and quality of patient care in hospital, prevention of cancer, develop systems at the hospital that went way beyond medical treatment.
WHY IS CANCER AWARENESS IMPORTANT?
It is going to take numerous years before we find a solution to all the reasons behind the complexity of cancer. We may never be able to nullify the effect of cancer that it has had on the lives of many people. However, we can work to detect cancer as early as possible.
We can also assist in empowering families and individuals to get an early diagnosis along with intervention.
According to statistics by multiple cancer research organizations, timely detection and treatment often can lower the odds of complications related to progressive cancers.
Therefore, it is believed that only by opening a dialogue on the subject will people be more familiar and aware of early warning signs.
HOW TO SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT CANCER?
What comes to your head when you hear the word cancer? We are passionate about trying to break down the fear of fatalism that exists around cancer and we do this by giving people the tools to be able to talk about cancer openly and in simple language so the people we’re speaking to whether that be at work, at home or even in their social life.
You should be able to take on board information about cancer and should be able to do something positive about cancer.
Back in the early 70s, not many people survived a cancer diagnosis. Forty years ago, even when people were thinking death was the first thing that they thought about cancer.
Although there are many kinds of cancer, all cancers start from a few abnormal cells growing out of control. These cells continue to grow and form cancer. Cells become abnormal because of damage to DNA which is the genetic make of our cells.
-Campaigns for the spread of awareness about cancer can be carried out. For instance, a Holistic Communication Campaign was devised to reach large sections of Maharashtra that increase cancer cure awareness and association with the hospital.
-Targeted activation and events can be organized to engage with people and explain to them the nuances of cancer, its detection, and treatment.
-We can focus more on educating women on health and early detection of cancer symptoms.
-Frequent street plays can be conducted at high football public places like malls, bus stations, college campuses, parks etcetera
-Promoting the cause of health first various populated cities in India can also be conducted.
-The medical fraternity plays an important role as influencers at the local level to guide affected patients. Hence, a seminar and felicitation function can be organized in villages and less popular cities and remotes places as well.
-The seminar can have a panel discussion with representatives from reputed cancer institutions.
-On a state level, a large conference event can be organized where a very high-level panel can deliberate and educate people about cancer and its containment.
-A program of continuing medical education can also be conducted for doctors across various locations to enhance the sharing of knowledge on this sensitive subject.
-Binding and amplifying campaigns together can result in a massive scale of mass media outrage that can bring about high engagement in social media that can make the campaign a talk of the town.
“Humanity is known for winning battles against anything that came in the way of our survival. For each one of them, we stood together”
Fuzia welcomes you on board for a better world that fights for the right things.
Originally published at https://www.fuzia.com.