User:Navneet.k28/Indian Cancer Society

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The Indian Cancer Society

The conquest of cancer by choice, not chance

The Indian cancer society was founded in Mumbai in 1951 by the renowned oncologist Dr. DJ Jussawala, with the stated objective of providing cancer awareness and education, as well as offering high quality-low cost cancer screening facilities. Dr. Jussawala saw even in those early years that prevention through awareness and understanding was the only way to fight the scourge of cancer, giving patients and medical practitioners the best chance of a cure..

The Delhi Branch was set up in 1983 by a group of enlightened citizens, led by Mr. KK Mehta, who continued to guide the activities of ICS Delhi until 2011.

Vision

The Conquest of Cancer by Choice; not Chance. There is compelling evidence available to suggest that a majority of cancers are related to life style choices. In India where over half the cancers are in the head and neck region, it is important for people to recognise the connection between tobacco (including chewed tobacco such as gutka, khaini, paan masala) and cancer. Most cancers of the mouth, throat and lung are avoidable. The importance of diet in cancers is increasingly evident with new research. The connection of faulty diet is more clearly known. Diet is implicated in cancers such as those of the breast, stomach, gall bladder, colon and rectum, which are rising as life styles include richer diets, and people become more sedentary in their habits. Breast cancer, often referred to as the “empowered woman’s cancer”, is overtaking cervical cancer as the number one cancer in women in urban areas. Most cancers are curable if detected early. Many cancers are avoidable with an awareness of the way life styles help create these monsters.

ICS Delhi Activities

Cancer Jagriti

Our Awareness group of trained volunteers deliver cancer awareness talks at a wide variety of locations, ranging from schools and colleges, offices and factories, women’s’ groups, urban slums, villages, and with other socially committed organizations. We have trained workers of other NGO’s working in the Basti areas, so that our message of Cancer Awareness gets a sustained follow-up. Speakers carry instructive video films, as well as information literature, which is given free of cost. This service is available completely free of cost, though a pick-up for speakers is much appreciated. The Schools programme carries cancer education to a receptive audience.

Initiative

• School Cluster Training- Train the Traners
• Gender Resource Centres - Train the Trainer
• Professional Evaluation of Awareness Talks

The use of FM channels carries our message further afield. We find that our programmes are reaching a wider audience, when AIR airs them on other channels. A Cancer Helpline 99 105 16562 is very popular. Focus has shifted from requests for financial help to request for information.

Cancer Screening

In order to detect cancer early, and even at a pre-cancer stage, ICS urges that every person over the age of 30 years should have an annual check-up. ICS offers Cancer Screening at the Cancer Detection Centre, 42 Babar Road, New Delhi 110 001. The Centre is open on all working days from 0900 hours to 1230 hours. The Centre is served by 3 specialist doctors of ENT, Gynecology and Surgery, supported by a team of technicians. In a package, which includes a blood analysis, chest X-ray, and physical examination by these experienced doctors, you can avail a screening for cancer at minimal, heavily subsidized cost. No prior appointment required, and the entire process takes only 35 minutes of your time. in order to detect cancer early, and even at a pre cancer stage, ICS urges that every healthy person over the age of 30 years should have an annual check up. We now have a Mammography & Bone Densitometry facility operating out of Prashanti. Both services are offered at highly subsidized rates. Since November 2010 we offer HPV/DNA tests at the Cancer Detection Centre, Babar Road, with help from several philanthropic donors who also sponsor screening at the centre.

Initiative

• Free screening for 60 women and 10 mammography every month sponsored by Dalmia Manav Sewa Trust.
• Screening and Treatment for elderly sponsored by HelpAge
• Screening and Mammography sponsored by PetroNet LNG,KKR,Indian Oil, and many more

Mobile Cancer Screening

Cancer Screening at your doorstep! This service is ideal for offices, factories, and other clusters of people who cannot take time off to come to the Babar Road Centre. 40 persons are screened in a 3-hour period by our specialist staff. This service is available on weekends, and on weekday afternoons. Bookings can be made through our office, and a payment is required to be made in advance to confirm the booking. Philanthropic individuals and organizations often sponsor camps for people living in the slums of Delhi. Please check with us about the availability of free camps. The Mobile Service is an essential part of the Community Projects, which ICS undertakes in the basti’s (slums) around Delhi.

AshaKiran

A CSR initiative of engineers India Ltd, (EIL), AshaKiran is a Mobile Medical Van equipped with X-ray and Mammography machine. ICS have installed Tele-Radiology Reporting Services,so that reports are available within 24 hours. this is the first tele-radio facility in India. AshaKiran has screened over 250 people between July when she became operational and December 2014. ICS Delhi has made quantum jump by converting Medical Records at the Cancer Detection Centre into Electronic Format. ICS Connect is our Project that integrates EMR, Tele-Radiology and facility for easy access to Research. This is an ongoing project of great importance.

Community Projects

ICS undertakes Community Screening Projects supported by corporate houses as part of their CSR Projects. Over 2000 women from disadvantaged areas were screened for Cervical Cancer in 2009-10. In addition, Awareness Talks and intensive training for chosen leaders among local women as Basti Sevika’s are organized, with the doctors from IRCH/AIIMS. A series of talks and screening Camps were organized for the elderly with HelpAge. This was part of a Project, giving the elderly financial assistance with treatment costs. Assistance is also available to the elderly for treatment of chronic disease in an ongoing programme. A special booklet on Cancer in the Elderly was produced.The Dalmia Manav Sava Trust supports an ongoing Breast Cancer Screening Project. EIL supports the “Restore Body Image” project for women after Breast Cancer.

Youth Projects

Projects to involve young people in Cancer Control are essential to ICS. We work with NSS in several colleges, in year long activity. We accept international interns throuch AIESEC, as well as Indian students undertaking short-term work with us. young people/interns study our working and carry ICS message to different schools or social groups. We hope this will sensitize them to the trauma of cancer. we are encouraged by calls from Management students from as far afield as Bangalore. Young college students are encouraged to undertake social audit of lifestyle leading to cancer. It helps them to understand their role in helping cancer to enter their lives.

Pressure Groups

ICS Delhi has worked as a watch dog for cancer information being delivered in sensitive manner. ICS works with tobacco regulation lobbies working to stem the easy availability of tobacco, especially to vulnerable youth. ICS has made presentations to the Parliamentary Sub Committee on Tobacco Regulation, putting forward its views on the tobacco-cancer connection. ICS successfully lobbied the Defence Forces to include cancer screening as part of the Annual Medical examination of all service personnel. We continue to keep an eye on cost of new generation cancer drugs, whose prices are beyond the reach of ordinary people. ICS has worked to get warning signs put onto bidi & gutka packets. Special programmes during the year highlight different cancers – Prostate Cancer (April), Tobacco/Oral cancers (May), Breast (October), Cervix (November). ICS works with International bodies such as UICC, WHO, American Cancer Society, WACC and Livestrong, in learning experience and interaction for Volunteers & Management alike. We also work closely with the Government of India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare & the Delhi Administration.

Cancer Sahyog

Since 1991, this Support group for people living with cancer has been working under the umbrella of ICS Delhi. Founded by a cancer survivor, all members of Cancer Sahyog have a personal experience with cancer. Besides offering a listening ear and a shared experience, volunteers provide literature, helpful suggestions and tips regarding the side effects of treatment. Most of all, volunteers in hospitals, all of whom are survivors, offer hope. Cancer Sahyog offers a measure of financial assistance to deserving cases. Sahyog’s annual seminar addresses issues of importance to cancer survivors. The Seminar in 2011 addressed Familial Cancer. Financial assistance of over Rs 20 lakhs per annum is disbursed to needy patients. All of this money is collected through Donations from public spirited persons. Sahyog's annual seminar addresses issues of importance to cancer survivors. the seminar in 2012 addressed the Role of the Caregiver in Cancer Control. in 2014, we addressed "Cancer and toher NCDs".

Initiative

The annual Walk for Cancer Awareness is a popular fixture on the Delhi calendar, as is Cancer Survivors Day. Many Hospitals are bringing their patients. Inspirational leaders flag off the Walk. We have invited Sports Icons to inspire the children. Both the Walk & Survivors Day seek to draw the general public into aspects of living with cancer. Survivors Day is a celebration of Life after Cancer. It will be celebrated as always on the second Saturday in February at Delhi’s fun hot-spot Dilli Haat.

Breast Cancer Care

This group of Breast Cancer Survivors has joined the ICS family. They provide badly needed advice on prosthesis and bra’s; as well as living life under altered circumstances. They also join Volunteers from Jagriti & Sahyog in spreading awareness about Breast Cancer. This group has helped set up a Comprehensive Breast Cancer Care Centre at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, with support from Doctors & Nurses, recognizing the needs of women beyond mere medical intervention.

Initiative

• Supply of Bra and Prosthesis to Mastectomies. Supported by EIL
• Brest Cancer Awareness Necklaces
• Workshops on Brest Cancer in Young Women- October

Prashanti

This branch of ICS encourages a serene return to normal living after cancer. Working under the aegis of ICS, this is a Centre for Healing therapies. Patients and Survivors are encouraged to explore the various therapies on offer, and use the one of their choice to better their quality of life. Prashanti has recently added a Diagnostic facility offering Mammography & Bone Densitometry. Both services are offered at no profit – no loss basis. There are plans to restructure this Unit on the lines of the Breast Cancer Haven (UK)

Cancer Insurance

Recognizing the fact that cancer treatment is long and expensive, ICS was the first to offer Cancer Insurance in collaboration with New India Assurance Company. Presently, there are two slabs of cover available. Details can be obtained from our office. At a time when one in eight Indians is likely to get cancer, insurance to offset the high cost of treatment has become a necessity.

ICS Gurgaon

With the tremendous growth of population in Gurgaon area, as well as accompanying schools, commercial houses and hospitals, a new group has begun work on a variety of activities. they have worked with stakeholders to carry the message of Cancer Control.

Events

• Cyclothon (school children)- drawing attention to the role of Physical Activity in Cancer Control
• Rise Against Cancer- Combinating walk, cyclothon and survivor day with corporate games and a rock concert to engage the community in cancer control.
• World No Tobacco Day 2014 - Skit & Slogan Competition
• Oorja - Cultral program showcasing Kathak – Thumri duo of Padmashri Shovana Narayan & Musicologist Dr. Kumud Diwan; with the aim of highlighting the issues surrounding a wide spectrum disease like cancer and spreading awareness about cancer screening at very nominal rates to the general public of Delhi NCR region.

Newsletter

ICS Newsletter “Nargis” offers information and has a small but loyal readership of 3000 persons. Nargis covers the activity of all ICS units, and gives useful information about cancer. It is distributed free of cost in Hospital clinics.

Initiative

• e-newsletter (monthly)for Internal Communication among ICS members