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"All the latest advances, whether medical, surgical, radiation and palliative were discussed in depth by prominent faculty from India as well as overseas,” as part of the educational activities of the N. K. Dhabhar Cancer Foundation (NKDCF), noted a write-up sent to Parsiana. The two-day "academic feast for students of oncology and oncologists across India” focused on lung, and head and neck cancers. Called the NKD-Oncothon, the event at ITC Parel on July 29-30, 2023 saw over 150 delegates and faculty attending the conference organized by Dr Jeyhan Dhabhar on behalf of the Foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the first day lectures and panel discussions focused on lung cancer, recent advances in chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy for its treatment. Faculty included Indian specialists Drs Boman Dhabhar, Kumar Prabhash and surgeon Ramakant Deshpande. Tim Benepal of St Georges University Hospitals of the National Health Service, UK, spoke on redefining the management of the affliction with new technologies. Participating in a plenary session moderated by Boman were Drs Asha Kapadia from Hinduja Hospital, senior surgical oncologist Sultan Pradhan, pediatric oncologist Shripad Banavali, chief executive officer of Wockhardt Hospitals Dr Parag Rindani and philanthropist-entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala. Of interest to all was Banavali’s exposition of his role in rural outreach programs where basic chemotherapy is not available and affordable and how he has made it possible through an alternative therapy. Screwvala spoke about how through story telling it is possible to change mindsets and overcome the fear that people have about cancer.
The second day covered "the often neglected but extremely important part of treatment, palliative care.” The key speaker was the founder of palliative care at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) Dr Mary Ann Mukaden. A panel discussion on the importance of early palliative care followed, including a talk by a patient who had been helped by early intervention. Senior oncologists Drs B. K. Smruti and Govind Babu spoke about the widely prevalent head and neck cancers, followed by a panel discussion on head and neck surgery and a talk on advanced radiation techniques.
Singer, composer, songwriter Shaan shared that he entertains cancer patients at hospice Shanti Avedna and the pediatric ward in TMH.
Foundation trustee Dr Khurshid Mistry told Parsiana after the conference that lung cancer is the most common, resulting in 1.38 million deaths per year worldwide. Researchers in India confirm that lung cancer in India contributes significantly toward the cancer morbidity and mortality, she stated. "While the global trend of a rise… appears to be paralleled in India, we do not completely understand the alarming rise in the incidence of lung cancer among nonsmokers. We have a limited understanding of the impact of the factors that are unique to our region such as the presence of indoor air pollution, the use of domestic or biomass fuel exposure, the presence or lack of micronutrients in our diet, occupational exposure, etc,” she wrote in a detailed communication to Parsiana.
NKDCF was started by Dr Pouruchisti Dhabhar, Boman’s wife, to carry out various activities to support cancer patients. Launched in June 2011 in Bombay, the Foundation "recognizes the needs of cancer patients and strives to provide them with clinical and emotional support, thereby i0mproving their quality of life,” stated their note. They promote and integrate cancer treatment for every patient "as we believe every person has a right to live with care and dignity, at any stage of cancer,” whether curable, palliative or terminal.
BND Onco Centre founded by Boman is a day care center for chemotherapy. Patients treated there are helped by the Foundation with financial assistance and care at their OnCare Wellness and Palliative Care Centre situated in the Masina Hospital complex (see "Caring for the afflicted,” Parsiana, October 21, 2017).