National Cancer Survivors Day was commemorated in local hospitals on Saturday and AAP MP (Rajya Sabha) Sanjeev Arora attended two of these functions including at DMCH, Ludhiana. Addressing these events, he categorically stated that Cancer patients’ determination to win the fight against the disease is the strongest armour.
Addressing a gathering of cancer survivors and their family members at DMCH here, Arora said we must salute to the courage of Cancer survivors without that it would not have been possible for them to fight against the disease, which is considered as one of the dreaded diseases across the world. The event was organised by DMCH Cancer Care Centre Ludhiana, a unit of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital Managing Society in collaboration with American Oncology Institute (AOI).
Arora who is also vice president of DMCH Managing Society, Ludhiana, added no doubt doctors are the warriors but Cancer survivors are the real warriors. He said in-fact, Cancer survivors are the real brand ambassadors for treatment and they can spread a message that this disease is now curable, if detected at an early stage.
He added the overall scenario has changed over the period because once Cancer was considered a non-curable deadly disease but now this disease can be fully cured with the timely detection and treatment. He suggested that people should got for their regular check-ups so that the disease could be treated successfully after being detected before an alarming situation.
He said there is a misconception among the masses that Punjab specially Bathinda belt is suffering from Cancer whereas the fact is that this disease is existing everywhere across the country. He said when he recently visited South then he observed that there are Cancer hospitals available in almost every big city. He added no one knows exact cause of Cancer but Cancer patients are getting new lives after timely treatment and latest technology available in the country.
Arora who is also a Member of Parliamentary Committee on Health said efforts are on to make Cancer treatment and medicines affordable. A lot of research has been on, he said, adding even efforts are on to find alternative medicines that could be made available at affordable rates.
DMCH principal Dr Sandeep Puri, Dr GS Brar and DMCH Managing Society’s treasurer Mukesh Kumar were among those present. Meanwhile, in a jubilant mood, Cancer survivors and their families, in presence of MP Sanjeev Arora cut cake at a function held in a local hotel to commemorate World Cancer Survivor Day today.
The function was organised by Oncology Division of Fortis Hospital Research institute, Ludhiana. More than 100 cancer survivors attended this event, in which Deputy Commissioner, Surabhi Malik was among those present. Arora added presence of Cancer survivors is an evident to the fact that Cancer disease is curable and the older myth that Cancer means end of life does not exist now.
He also heard emotional stories of the family members of a couple of Cancer survivors. Dr Devinder Paul appreciated Arora's work towards providing free treatment to poor patients having Cancer through its family run Charitable Trust Krishna Pran Cancer Charitable Trust.
Dr. Davinder Paul, Head, Department of Medical Oncology, Fortis hospital, Ludhiana, Dr. Vishavdeep Goyal, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana, and Dr. Harish Matta, Surgical Oncologist, Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana also spoke on the occasion.