Address At The Inauguration Of The International Cancer Centre Of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Trust At Peda Amiram, Bhimavaram

A great Rural Mission : Cancer Treatment

I am delighted to participate in the Inauguration of the International Cancer Centre: A Model Rural Cancer Treatment and Research Institute at Peda Amiram. When I am in Peda Amiram, I am reminded of my early visit to this place on 2nd October 1996. That time I met Prof M.R. Raju who is indeed a great example of how a famous nuclear scientist working in Los Alamos Laboratory, USA decides to come back to his village for taking up the mission of transforming Peda Amiram and its surroundings, with the support of his family members.

In addition to managing the hospital, Dr. M.R. Raju has paid special attention to child welfare. Particularly, he concentrate on character building and upliftment of the children in the age group of 3 to 5 years. This has brought down the school drop out rate from 70% to less than 30%. They are receiving creative learning in a harmonious atmosphere. A confident young population is emerging in the village.

The Mission of Cancer Diagnosis and treatment

So far, in the first phase the Cancer Centre has used CT scanner for three dimensional treatment planning, followed by Cobolt treatment. In the next phase the hospital needs facilities like pathology, surgical oncology and medical oncology. I am sure, before my visit to this place next time these facilities will be available in this Centre. I am happy to know that the Centre is planning a tele-medicine connectivity with Tata Memorial Cancer Centre and the Rashtrapati Bhavan. I will request Chairman, ISRO to provide the necessary support for this connectivity.

I congratulate Prof. Raju and his team for these noble mission. I am sure this tribe will multiply because cancer is an important area. Dr. M.R. Raju will take it up. I would like to share an experience.

Breast Cancer: A Study Project

The suffering of cancer does not remain confined to the patient alone. The psychological and financial suffering often engulfs the entire family and the social surroundings. The emotional trauma is just intense. The Bangalore Cancer Research Foundation conducted a unique multi-institutional study with DRDO with the participation of Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB). The study was aimed at establishing the relationship of the stress of breast cancer patients with the neuro-endocrine response leading to immune modulation, which will determine the prognosis to treatment or progression of the disease. The perceived stress of the patients is influenced by the social support being provided by the spouses and caregivers and hence in the study a systems approach was made to evaluate the stress of the patients in the social ambience. Patients of Breast cancer, their spouses and equal number of the care givers served as volunteers for the study.

Standard psychological methods were used to quantify the stress of the patients, their coping strategies, blood cortisol, cell mediated immunity and humoral immunity were measured in all the three groups. The study revealed specific correlation of the stress of the patients with the immune responses. Patients who received adequate social support had lower level of perceived stress and their prognosis to surgical, radiation and chemotherapy were better than those who had higher level of perceived stress due to inadequate emotional support from the spouses and care givers. The primary message, which emanated from the study, indicates that for successful prognosis, it will be essential to combine psychotherapy along with the conventional medical management of cancer. It also emphasises the necessity to address the problem at the mind-body complex to facilitate the better treatment of this complex disease. The sample size is small. Elaborate further research in this area is very vital. International Cancer Centre can consider involving psychotherapy as a part of cancer treatment in this hospital and also carry out further research in this area.

Brave Hearts

I have three friends so valiantly handling their blood cancers. The first one is an industrialist-scientist, second one is an author and the third one is an artist. All three are fighting their malignancy with courage. The industrialist-scientist says, like a gladiator, he will defeat his cancerous cells and he is doing it. His family is helping him in his fight. The author is learning more about Self by writing books of great spiritual and literary value. One of his works is titled ?Celebration of the Cells?. I had invited the artist to paint in the beautiful surroundings of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He created wonderful paintings capturing the beauty and life of Mughal Gardens and the splendour of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He showed me a painting of excellence which he had created while undergoing chemotherapy at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. According to him, his best pieces of work emerged when he was combating the severe pain. The indomitable spirit was shining over the trauma of pain. From these interactions I learnt that the life of a cancer patient is a process of adjustment to a disease that at times is in remission and at other times active. Any illness or even discomfort can direct us to the often-ignored Self. It can even become a journey of faith. The medical practitioners can take a lead from this experience while advising patients. A psychological and physiological treatment for cancer patients is very vital.

Medical Communication

Recently, there was a meeting of cancer cured patients, their doctors and a few social workers. One important point emerged during the interaction was that the relationship between the patient and doctor extends to patients? family. This in turn, transmits effective messages from one family to another family on advice to prevent the cancer, necessity of periodic checks, the dietary habits and the need for life style changes including Yoga for good health. Actually, I believe this good contact between the doctor and patients is comparable to that of a teacher and student. I request every doctor to play the role of a teacher in advising every family on cancer prevention and methods to lead a healthy life. I hope the Doctors present here will find time for this noble action.

Conclusion

When I was here last time, I found a Eye Hospital and the Cancer Hospital taking off. I saw patients being given treatment. Now I am very happy that a fully operational International Cancer Centre has come up in Peda Amiram with modern facilities. Soon you will have many more facilities in this Centre. In a developed country when people do certain good things they are appreciated and encouraged. In a rural environment it is just the reverse. Many stones will be coming in your way. You have to make these stones to become the steps for moving on the ladder of providing more services to the needy people. Definitely there will be a stage when people will recognize selflessness of the missions.

I am happy to inaugurate the International Cancer Centre which is a model rural cancer treatment and research institute. My best wishes to Dr. M. R. Raju and his team for success in their mission of bringing advanced healthcare to the doorsteps of the villagers.

May God bless you.