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Partner Profile Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute, Kolkota, India
India is a land of diversity, made up of communities of different castes, colors, creeds and languages and large differences in social parameters such as income and education. Because disease prevalence in the population of over a billion people differs from one region to another, enormous resources are required to combat health-related problems. The government endeavors to deliver health care at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, with 6 to 7% of the total national budget allocated for health, but until recently the government provided no separate funds for cancer. In West Bengal alone, the total cancer burden is 5 lacs*, with an increment of 70,000 new cancer patients every year. Less than 20% of these could ever receive tertiary care. Nearly 50% are treated locally by non-specialist physicians. Almost 30% receive no treatment whatsoever. Comprehensive Cancer Care In all of eastern India there were only two cancer centers. One is government-supported (Chittaranjan National Cancer Centre) and other is independent (Cancer Care and Welfare Home, Thakurpukur). With the idea of providing comprehensive cancer care at an affordable cost for the middle class people of Eastern India, a group of doctors decided, in 2002, to develop a new cancer hospital; as a funding source they established the Himadri Memorial Cancer Welfare Trust. Under the medical direction of Dr. Ashis Mukhopadhyay, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute opened in 2004. Since then, Mukhopadhyay and his fellow doctors at the institute have devoted themselves to making their facility the leading cancer hospital in eastern India. “We started this project with nothing but the good wishes of the patients and their relatives,” says Mukhopadhyay. “We faced an enormous financial challenge, and team members sacrificed a great deal of their own time and money in enabling us to provide services to the middle class and the poor. We overcame some of the obstacles, but even now we’ve a big problem of finance.”
Today, the Bose Institute, with 70 beds, offers a comprehensive cancer program including epidemiology, prevention and treatment. This is where rural and district hospitals send their cancer patients. The hospital also sponsors awareness programs in rural areas of West Bengal on thalassemia, as well as cancers of the breast, cervix and mouth. The hospital receives some government funding as well as support from local and regional organizations and international cancer societies. It is an international partner of ASCO, ASH, SIOP and ESMO. To meet the great demand for cancer control in east India, the Institute is poised to expand. The government of West Bengal recently provided one acre of land where construction will begin on a 150-bed comprehensive cancer unit with state-of-the-art facilities, including labs for stem cell research. Still, financing the expansion poses an enormous challenge. “There are fundraising mechanisms in place for new equipment, clinics and an expanding cancer institute. But still we’re in great need of financial help from abroad.”
Cancer on the Rise The incidence of cancer in India has increased markedly in the last two decades, attributable in part to increased exposure to a number of risk factors including tobacco products and betel nuts (among males, oral cancer related to chewing habits is common). Poor dietary habits, alcohol consumption, excessive use of pesticides, and air pollution are additional factors that predispose to cancer to a greater or lesser degree. As a nation, India must strive to control cancer through awareness of its early signs and the fact that if treated promptly, many cancers can be cured. Cancer research should be encouraged, particularly in the context of specific approaches to cancer control, by making additional research funding available. The Indian government has launched a national cancer control plan and is concentrating on infrastructural development focused around radiotherapy units in the underdeveloped regions of India. In this context, it is supporting non-government organizations, like Bose Institute. New Approaches in Cancer Treatment “In line with global trends, India is shifting its treatment paradigm towards targeted therapy,” says Mukhopadhyay. “Although the eastern part of India is lagging behind, our institute is trying to keep up with new developments in cancer treatment and we are participating in several targeted therapy and clinical trials.”
Clinical trials are currently underway focusing on the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (INCTR’s MCP 841 protocols), breast cancer, lung cancer and head and neck cancers. At least seven new clinical trials are in the pipeline.
The Institute has developed special clinics in subspecialties such as pain management, nutrition, and psychology. As a teaching hospital, the Institute recently began offering the Diplomat of National Board (DNB) certification, the equivalent of the DM (Doctor of Medicine) in medical oncology. *A lac is an Indian number representing 100,000. Marcia Landskroener for INCTR |
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Cancer awareness campaign.
Patient in apheresis room.
Medical and nursing staff.
Copyright © 2008 The International Network For Cancer Treatment and Research