Cleveland Clinic, US Sends Delegation of Cancer Specialists to India

As cancer care in India comes under the spotlight with the release of a parliamentary report commenting on the increasing incidence and high cancer death rate, a team of cancer specialists from the U.S.’s Cleveland Clinic visited Mumbai last month.

 

According to last month’s 325th report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, 1.6 million (16 lakh) new cancer cases are diagnosed in India every year, and the annual mortality figure is 800,000 (eight lakh). The report also noted that the incidence in India is expected to rise to 1.7 million (17 lakh) in 2035, while cancer deaths are expected to rise to 1.3 million (13 lakh) in 2035.

 

The most common type of cancer affecting women in India is breast cancer, and one of the members of the visiting delegation, Stephen Grobmyer, M.D.,  who is Chairman of the Oncology Institute of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, points out there are numerous measures women can take themselves to lower their risk.

 

He says that it is estimated that about a third of risks associated with developing breast cancer can be mitigated, and even if it does develop, screening can help to detect it at an earlier and more treatable stage.

 

He says that lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk include exercising regularly, maintaining an optimal weight, reducing alcohol consumption and eating a healthy diet with lots of colorful, and green, leafy vegetables.

 

In terms of detection, the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more treatable it is and the better the outcomes, so women should conduct self-examinations alongside regular professional breast screening, he adds.

Supporting Dr Grobmyer’s emphasis on vigilance and early detection is his colleague and lung cancer specialist Dr Atul C. Mehta, M.D. who was also part of the delegation visiting India, his country of origin.

Dr Mehta says that each form of cancer has its own symptoms, but a key thing to look out for are unexplained changes – although these don’t necessarily mean you have cancer, they should not be ignored. Examples include a sore that doesn’t heal, a wart or mole that changes, an unusual lump anywhere in the body, a persistent cough or hoarseness, indigestion or problems swallowing, changes in bowel movement or urination habits, unusual weight loss, unusual bleeding or discharge from various parts of the body, he adds.

Cleveland Clinic, which has been consistently rated in the top-five-ranked U.S. hospitals for the past 21 years, has a long connection with Indian patients, many of whom travel to Ohio for cancer care.

 

Through Cleveland Clinic’s Global Patient Services, those in need of complex care are assisted in matters such as travel and accommodation arrangements appropriate for their condition, interpretation services, and a facilitated continuum of care, all with a thorough understanding of their cultural background and needs.

 

A physician-led and not-for-profit organization committed to healthcare delivery, research, and education, the Cleveland Clinic name has become universally synonymous with world-changing innovation and care, largely based on its unique ‘group practice, act-as-a-unit’ delivery model focused on value-based and patient-centered healthcare.