Akkineni Nagarjuna launches KIMS Hospitals Cancer Support Group

The endeavor signifies the healthcare major's mission to create a culmination that extends support to the cancer patients in the form of knowledge, motivation and guidance, also celebrating victory over cancer

Hyderabad, June 6th 2015: KIMS Hospitals, leading healthcare provider in South India today launched the 'Don't Fight Alone Cancer Support Group' while commemorating National Cancer Survivors Day here in the city. Noted Telugu film actor Sri Akkineni Nagarjuna garu, launched the Support Group, a platform for those related to cancer to come together, exchange experiences, share knowledge and views, provide mutual motivation, boost courage and confidence among those fighting cancer.

Cancer, the dreaded disease has always stood as the biggest medical challenge staring at the mankind as well as the medical fraternity in the modern times. The disease in several of its menacing forms has been prevalent across the world troubling humans cutting across age and genetic built. While fighting cancer personally for a patient is filled with trauma, despair and physical pain, the conviction that standing by the patient is vital, has gathered enough steam to become a universal practice.

The cancer support groups essentially comprise cancer patients, survivors, their family members, doctors, counselors, bodies that promote cancer awareness. These support groups meet and interact on a regular basis and share experiences and celebrate victory over cancer.

KIMS Hospitals, which is pioneering the support group, has been in the forefront in comprehensive and advanced cancer treatment for long. From world-class treatment to cure with care and compassion, KIMS Cancer Centre has established itself as a state-of-the-art facility in surgical, medical and radiation oncology. Driven with quest to give better and more to the communities, KIMS Cancer centre also has a portal dontfightalone.org dedicated to information and support to the cancer patients. As a priceless extension, the latest initiative of Don't Fight Alone Support Group will further aid cancer patients.

Commenting on the launch of the Cancer Support Group, Dr B Bhaskar Rao, MD & CEO, KIMS Hospitals said, "Cancer, as a disease has gripped the whole world in a menacing way. As a responsible healthcare citizen, KIMS Hospitals has vowed to extend the supporting hand to cancer fighters who require not just treatment, but words of courage, deeds of motivation and actions to induce interest back into lives. Fighting cancer is a challenge that can only be surmounted by a strong will. The support groups are the ideal pedestals to infuse that spirit and KIMS Hospitals is proud to anchor this concerted initiative"

Akkineni Nagarjuna launched the Support Group and hoped the mission reached to the most needy in their fight against cancer, specially the families which are trauma-ridden witnessing their dear ones suffer.
The occasion also commemorated National Cancer Survivors Day, which falls on the first Sunday of every June. Survivors spoke at length about the tough journey they went through while battling cancer. They appealed to the cancer patients to hold their hope all through and live life to the full.

On the occasion, an interactive Cancer Forum presided by the Oncologists team of KIMS Hospitals was organized.

Just Diagnosed: Learning that you have cancer is a difficult experience. After your cancer diagnosis, you may feel anxious, afraid or overwhelmed and wonder how you can cope during the days ahead. Here are some tips to help you cope with the situation. Consider bringing a family member or friend with you to your first few doctor appointments to help you remember what you hear. You might also want to consider how much you want to know about your cancer. Some people want all the facts and details, so they can be very involved in the decision-making process. Others prefer to learn the basics and leave details and decisions to their doctors. Think about which approach works best for you. Let your healthcare team know what you'd prefer. Maintain honest, two-way communication with your loved ones, doctors and others, after your cancer diagnosis. You may feel particularly isolated if people try to protect you from bad news or if you try to put up a strong front. If you and others express emotions honestly, you can all gain strength from each other.

Preparing Yourself: After your cancer diagnosis and before you begin treatment is the best time to plan for changes. Prepare yourself now so that you'll be able to cope better later. Ask your doctor what changes you should anticipate. If drugs will cause hair loss, advice from image experts about clothing, makeup, wigs and hairpieces may help you feel more comfortable and attractive. Insurance often helps pay for wigs, prostheses and other adaptive devices. Cancer support groups may be particularly helpful in this area and can provide tips that have helped them and others. Also consider how treatment will impact your daily activities. Ask your doctor whether you can expect to continue your normal routine. You may need to spend time in the hospital or have frequent medical appointments. If your treatment will require a leave of absence from your normal duties, make arrangements for this. This can improve your energy level. Choose a healthy diet consisting of a variety of foods and get adequate rest in order to help you manage the stress and fatigue of the cancer and its treatment. Exercise and participate in enjoyable activities. Recent data suggest that people who maintain some physical exercise during treatment not only cope better but may also live longer.

Planning Treatment: Traditionally surgery has been the mainstay of treatment for many cancers. More recently, there has been a movement toward less extensive operations to treat cancer. For example, a generation ago, women with breast cancer were treated with radical mastectomy. Today, in many cases, the breast is preserved by removing only the cancerous lump and a safety tissue margin around the cancer. Radiation therapy and sometimes chemotherapy and hormone treatments follow. This approach can be as effective as more extensive operations. Learn about your disease and the approaches commonly used to treat it. Some cancers respond better to radiation, others to chemotherapy or hormonal treatments. Some require one type of therapy, others a combination.

Side effects: As you prepare to start cancer treatment, it is normal to fear the unexpected and worry that treatment will be difficult. In fact, fearing treatment-related side effects is common after a diagnosis of cancer. However, it may help to know that preventing and controlling side Effects is an important priority for your healthcare team. Don't be afraid to talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to learn the facts about your situation, including which side effects you may or may not experience and what options you have for managing them. A little information can go a long way toward easing your mind and helping you prepare for what lies ahead.

Life During Treatment: In addition to physical changes, cancer disrupts so many aspects of life that you may have identified yourself with before the diagnosis, from relationships to work and hobbies. Depending on the seriousness of the illness and the prognosis (chance of recovery), it may also be a time for coming to terms with changes to plans for the future and the chance of dying. This is often quite frightening and has a profound effect on how you view your life. It is not unusual to experience many different emotions; sometimes it may be difficult to figure out exactly what you are feeling. We know that.many people with cancer feel.

Support Group: When the world's most challenging disease demands the best of someone, it is our endeavor to be their strong arm, to be by their side, and help them put up a strong fight. It is in our ethos, that no cancer patient fights alone. There is unthinkable emotion associated with a cancer discovery, draining people of confidence, and spurring shock, anger and stress. And through this initiative, we at KIMS Hospitals will extend moral solace to fighters and their families. Apart from directly or indirectly helping cancer patients with information and identifying aid sources, the Don't Fight Alone Support Group creates awareness. It is a network of people connected with cancer, including patients, their families, the medical community and several other bodies. Led by doctors, counselors and social bodies, the support group is a platform for the like minded and affected to meet, exchange information, motivate, inspire spirit and manage each other's emotions & concerns.