New Delhi, 7^th November 2023: To commemorate National Cancer Awareness Day, Medica Superspecialty Hospital celebrated the inauguration of the Monobina Clinic on 7^th November. The event included a thought-provoking panel discussion on ‘Importance of counselling of Cancer caregivers.’ This endeavor marks a noteworthy milestone in the hospital’s ongoing dedication to offering comprehensive assistance to individuals and families dealing with cancer. The distinguished panel included a broad mix of individuals, each offering unique perspectives on the critical role of caregivers in cancer treatment. Notable panelists included Prof. (Dr.) Gautam Bandopadhyay, HOD of the Psychiatry Department at Calcutta Medical College; Mr. Ayan Chaudhuri, a well-known Motivational Speaker and Photographer; Mr. Shyamal Kumar Das, Asst. Commissioner of Income Tax Department; Ms. Arunima Datta, Psycho-oncologist from Medica Superspecialty Hospital; and esteemed actors Mr. Shantilal Mukherjee and Mr. Rwitobroto Mukherjee. Prof. (Dr.) Subir Ganguly, Senior Consultant, Advisor, Radiation Oncology moderated the panel discussion. Dr. Siddhartha Neogi, Director of Health Services, Govt. of West Bengal along with Dr. Sourav Datta, Director, Medica Oncology, Consultant, Head and Neck Oncosurgery graced the event with his presence.

Monobina Clinic, under the guidance of the experienced Ms. Arunima Datta, shines as a beacon of hope for cancer caregivers and families by offering dedicated counselling sessions twice a week. With a focus on both in-house and out-patient care at an affordable rate, the clinic aims to extend emotional and psychological support to individuals caring for cancer patients. Recognizing the pivotal role these caregivers play in the cancer treatment process, the clinic strives to provide invaluable assistance to ease out their emotional burdens.

During the discussion, Prof. (Dr.) Subir Ganguly, expressed, “It is critical to recognize that cancer does not only affect the body; it also has a profound impact on the mind and spirit of both patients and their dedicated caregivers. Caregivers typically bear the brunt of the responsibility of providing care, working diligently to satisfy the complicated requirements of their loved ones. However, without proper planning and assistance, this responsibility can become overwhelming, resulting in high levels of stress. This stress has an impact not only on caregivers’ psychological well-being, but it can also have an impact on their physical health over time. The consequences of this stress manifest as mental anguish, worry, sadness, feelings of powerlessness, and a lack of control. Caregivers have obstacles in their roles, and this difficulty can have an impact on their overall quality of life. We at Medica place a high value on providing holistic treatment. Monobina clinic is a monument to this commitment. From now onwards, we won’t simply provide treatment and counselling to our patients; we will also support the unsung heroes – the caregivers. Their mental health is crucial for us. We hope this will lessen the emotional load that cancer places on both patients and those who care for them by concentrating on their needs.”

Dr. Sourav Datta, stated, “In a world where cancer rates are on the rise, our dedication goes beyond mere disease treatment. We aim to protect the emotional strength of both patients and their caregivers. The fight against cancer is not solely a physical one; it equally relies on mental resilience. At Monobina Clinic, our primary emphasis lies in creating a specialized space to assist and uplift caregivers, equipping them with the optimism and resilience required to navigate this challenging path. By nurturing their mental well-being, we establish a solid foundation for providing optimal care to our patients, fostering a sense of hope and positivity in the battle against cancer.”

Mr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Jt. Managing Director, Medica Group of Hospital, shared, “Caregivers are essential part of the care team for every person who has cancer. At Medica we understand that the experience of the caregivers can often be quite difficult & stressful. It is normal to feel tired, overwhelmed or sad during the caregiving journey. At our newly launched Monobina Clinic we want to address such emotional issues of the caregivers and extend guidance, assistance & mental support so that they do not feel alone.”

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A beacon of hope, a stem cell transplant has emerged as a promising treatment option for those battling blood cancer and blood-related disorders. However, the harsh reality is that only a handful of affected individuals find a matching stem cell donor to undergo this lifesaving treatment. This National Cancer Awareness Day, experts from DKMS BMST Foundation India call for an increased awareness of blood stem cell donation and how important it is to register as a potential stem cell donor.

To successfully carry out a blood stem cell transplant, it is crucial to obtain blood stem cells from an HLA-matched (Human Leukocyte Antigen) donor. When blood stem cells are collected from a donor, they are infused into the patient via a transplant process. This infusion allows the stem cells to travel through the bloodstream and eventually find their way to the bone marrow, where they reside. These new blood stem cells increase in number and produce healthy blood cells, replacing the patient’s diseased cells.

Only 30% of patients diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood disorder find a matching donor within their family, while the remaining 70% of the patients rely on the generosity of voluntary, unrelated stem cell donors. Ethnicity plays a significant role in finding a matching donor. Thus, the need for people of Indian ethnicity to register as stem cell donors is eminent as lakhs of Indian patients await their lifesaving donors.

Patrick Paul, CEO of DKMS BMST Foundation India, stated, “Only 0.04% of Indians are registered as stem cell donors. This means the chances of Indian patients finding a matching unrelated donor are one in a million. This leaves thousands of them on a waitlist for years as they cannot find donors, mostly due to the lack of their ethnic representation on the worldwide stem cell donor database. To address this disparity and save more lives, it is crucial to register a larger number of potential stem cell donors from India. With a population of over 1.42 billion and a rising incidence of blood cancer, thalassemia, and aplastic anemia, the need for Indian stem cell donors has never been greater.”

To highlight the importance of stem cell donation in combating blood cancer, experts lay emphasis on the case of 12-year-old Shruti, who battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Her journey began with an unrelenting fever that baffled home remedies and local medical consultations. Rushed to a Chittor hospital, doctors prescribed a stem cell transplant as her lifeline. Facing financial hurdles, she sought treatment in Chennai, all while enduring chemotherapy and the loss of her hair. Today, she stands fully recovered, a testament to resilience and support from her stem cell donor.

To become a potential stem cell donor, one must be a healthy adult and a citizen of India between 18 and 55 years old.

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