NewZNew (Chandigarh) : Narayana Health Group of hospitals, which recently opened its Superspeciality tertiary care hospital near Katra, established in association with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, announced the launch of its Cancer Institute at the Jammu unit. A multidisciplinary team has been constituted for this hospital, which includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, Hemato-oncologist, radiologists and pathologists. The department will be led by Dr. Vikas Roshan, Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Mir, Medical Oncologist and Dr. Sandeep Kaul, Surgical Oncologist.
The group has added a number of departments in Oncology to create a Centre of Excellence in Cancer Care. Cancer as a disease calls for multi-disciplinary approach. These departments include Onco-plastic Breast Surgery, Oncology, Gynaecology-Oncology, Hemato-Oncology, Head & Neck Onco-Surgery, Paediatric Oncology as well as Pain & Palliative Oncology. The cancer specialists are backed by skilled paramedical staff working in tandem to support patient care. Apart from this, the hospital offers Cancer Combat Clinic for counselling of patients and second opinion clinics as well. For terminally ill patients, the hospital has introduced a Pain and Palliative Care Clinic. The Cancer Institute at the hospital is equipped with the state’s first Linear Accelerator and advanced technology for Radiation Oncology.
Commenting on the same, Dr. S P Singh, CEO – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital said, “Our aim is to bring more access to cancer care facilities in Jammu & Kashmir region without compromising on quality and affordability. With our strong network of hospitals across India along with our outreach plans, we intend to take effective cancer care to areas where this disease is often under-diagnosed”.
Having performed complex surgeries to treat breast cancer, oral cancer, colorectal cancer and gynaecological malignancies comprising of uterus, ovaries and cervix, the Cancer Institute provides effective treatment in surgical oncology with adequate post-operative support to perform radical cancer surgeries.
According to Dr. (Brig.) M.M. Harjai, Chief Administrative Officer – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspecialty Hospital, Jammu, “Of utmost importance in cancer treatment is awareness and early detection. This calls for the need for specialized diagnosis and treatment facilities infiltrated in the region of J&K. Cancer care also requires adherence to well-defined, evidence-based medical protocols derived from latest medical research. We will be taking this standard of care to various regions of Jammu & Kashmir”. He further added, “The regular planned outreach would mean that our team will be travelling to parts of Jammu & Kashmir, which would open up avenues for us to get a more in-depth understanding on how cancer can be better combated in this region”.
Jammu & Kashmir has a high incidence of esophageal cancer. As per the study on risk factors and survival analysis of Esophageal Cancer in the population of Jammu & Kashmir published in Indian Journal of Cancer, it is apparent that smoking, snuff, sundried food, hot salted tea with baking soda and red chillies are some of the risk factors for the inhabitants of the Jammu and Kashmir region. The results are consistent with the earlier findings where various habits such as smoking and consuming alcohol, predispose the subjects to carcinoma. Jammu & Kashmir has been cited as one of the high incidence areas in the Central Asian Esophageal Cancer belt.
