Be Postive, advises Manisha Koirala to Cancer patients!
I took the doses of chemotherapy as though they were vitamin shots to keep positive; Manisha
Hyderabad, 4th February, 2017: Apollo Cancer Institutes, CURE Foundation & FICCI FLO, jointly hosted a unique panel discussion on topic Cancer is Conquerable at the ongoing Apollo Cancer Conclave,on Saturday. The panel comprised of Expert Panelists, Cine Actress Ms. Manisha Koirala & Dr. P. Vijay Anand Reddy, Director, Apollo Cancer Institute; joined by the other panelists Ms. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group; Dr. P. Shashikala, Prof. of Osmania Medical College; Ms. Padma Rajgopal, Chairperson, FICCI-FLO; Ms. Samantha Reddy, M.D., St. Jude India Child Care Centre; Ms. Ajita Reddy, M.D., Hamstech Institute of Fashion & Interior Design; Ms Swati Lakra, IPS; Dr. S.V.S.S. Prasad, Consultant Medical Oncologist; Dr Srinivas Chakravarthi, Consultant Medical Oncologist; Dr. M. Vamshi Krishna, Consultant Medical Oncologist; Dr. T.P.S. Bhandari, Consultant Surgical Oncologist; Dr. Padmaja Lokireddy, Consultant Hemato Oncologist & Dr. Kausik Bhattacharya, Consultant Radiation Oncologist.
Speaking on the occasion Ms Manisha said, when you know you have cancer, being with a positive frame of mind is the most important thing, my family and friends stayed positive as far as possible, they didn't permit anyone talking negative to me. A friend on knowing about me afflicted of cancer came to my home and was surprised to see a cheerful atmosphere with a party ambience at my place with people playing music, watching movies and me in the kitchen cooking, such was the atmosphere maintained at home, to keep me positive. Another friend of mine advised me to take the doses of chemotherapy as vitamin shots and that's what I used to think off while enduring the dosages of chemo. But it is important that you take the responsibility of yourself and your health. Even my oncologist was very supportive, she asked me to be normal and wanted me to spend life in a positive frame of mind.
Dr Vijay Anand Reddy said, 55% of cancers are preventable, leading a healthy lifestyle can help. When with cancer, you should look forward and not look backward and rue over things, this helps in combating cancer. Also do what you love to do, don't restrict yourself. Eat whatever you want, but more of liquids or nutritious food, which is hygienic less spicy and easily digestible.
Ms Sangita Reddy said, despite we being educated, know of people being afflicted of cancer within our family and friends, still wouldn't think of going for a regular health check, which can detect any possible ailment early and help prevent it. Please take this message of preventive health checks to everyone amongst your family and friends. She said, don't fear cancer, fear only detecting it late. Multiple initiatives are being undertaken to address cancer in rural areas by government and non-government agencies, we have rural vans, organise health camps in rural areas to handle the issue, she added.
Ms Swati Lakra said, when a person is affected of cancer, the entire family is affected too, they endure the trauma which the patient endures.
Speaking about the higher incidence of cancers in India compared to US or Western world, Dr Srinivas Chakravarthy said, support care services is the key difference. Because even in US the Doctors and people who run the medical system are Indians, if the talent is same why we are not in a position to replicate the results. He said poor nutrition, malnutrition leads to infections, we have to address these and logistics and monetary issues especially of the rural populace to reduce cancer incidence.
Dr Vamshi Krishna said, in India 60% of the patients come in stage four, where the chances of cure are bleak, while in West 20% come in the last stage and the majority coming in the initial stage don't succumb to cancer.
Ms Ajitha Reddy poseda question as to why one despite doing all the right things in life like right food, right exercise, despite being right role models get afflicted of cancer, how do we protect ourselves from the disease, are we missing out on something? she asked.
Dr SVSS Prasad responding to the question said, cancer is not totally related to lifestyle alone, picture perfect people too get cancer. Never ignore any symptoms of cancer, even if eight of ten times they may not be related to cancer, that two times can be critical.
Dr Padmaja Lokireddy said, the critical difference between here and Western countries in treating cancer is, there specialist nurses help by attending to patient and counsel patients, as doctors can't commit so much time. These nurses are there for the patients any time to attend to them, interact, clarify, counsel, they extend support to the families too.
Dr. Kausik Bhattacharya, said, With cancer patients in India there is a 'conspiracy of silence' the relatives don't want the patient to know about his disease, they want it to hushed up. But patients are much more intelligent and can make out what is going when you hide the information from them and it is no good in not disclosing to them. They should be let to embrace the truth and take it head on and that helps to combat the disease, which is the practice in West. Also there is lot of negativity around cancer, with people talking about all negative happening with cancer. Somebody might have had a bad result, it need not be the casse with us, therefore such negativity shouldn't be encouraged.
