Dr. C.N. Vijayakrishnan, Chairman, MVR Cancer Centre &

 Research Institute,

Dr. Narayanan Kutty Warrier, Medical Director,

Dr. Hemant Malhotra, President, Indian Society of Medical and

      Paediatric Oncology,

Dr. Jame Abraham, Cleveland Clinic, USA,

Dr. Ibal Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, MVR Cancer Centre,

Shri V.A. Hassan, Vice Chairman, CARE Foundation,

Shri C.E. Chakkunny, Director, Calicut City Co-operative Bank,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,

Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.

I am very happy to inaugurate MVR CANCON - the three day International Conference on Cancer on the theme CONSENSUS & CONTROVERSIES IN ONCOLOGY.

Let me at the outset, compliment the management of MVR Cancer Centre and Research Institute for organizing this Conference to discuss the various current and emerging treatment and research options in Oncology, with the  support of the  expert faculty of Cleveland Clinic,  USA.

I have been informed that the Cancer and Allied Ailments Research(CARE) Foundation, a charity organization initiated by the Calicut City Service Co-operative Bank in 2011 has been the driving force behind the MVR Cancer Centre. Started in 2014 with the noble cause of eliminating cancer, this Foundation has been successful in establishing a Cancer Care centre with 12 major departments capable of competing globally in medical services.  This Cancer Centre also calls to mind the dedicated services of the Late Shri M.V. Raghavan, former Minister whose contribution to the Cooperative sector has been widely acclaimed.

       Cancer is known to be one of the biggest threats to human health the world over.  In India, we have a grave situation with over 2.5 million people living with Cancer and around five lakh people dying due to the disease every year. Sadly, the incidence of death due to Cancer is more in women and if statistics can be trusted, in every ten minutes, one woman dies of Cervical cancer in our country. Death due to breast cancer is also on the rise. And, every year, around seven lakh new cancer patients are registered.

The relevance of this 3-day conference is that it seeks to bring together practitioners and researchers from India and around the world who treat patients with some of the most common cancers like Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, cancer of the Gastrointestinal tract and Gynecological tumors.

Another point of relevance is the situation in Kerala, where cancer has become an important health problem in the light of the growth in the aging population and the changing life-style. Kerala needs to look at cancer in a comprehensive way, beginning with a credible on-line Cancer registry and details of all facilities for treatment.  It is also high time we ensured at least basic oncology facilities and doctors trained in oncological surgery in all district hospitals.

Since screening and early detection are important in reducing death rates from some cancers, we need to find more effective ways of awareness creation. For instance, Breast cancer, which is the most common cancer in women is known to manifest mostly in the second or third stages, making survival difficult.  Therefore, we have to give priority to educating women to report breast lumps and to ensuring free Mammographic screening to all women in the State. Similar campaigns need to be carried out for other cancers, too. If patients are reluctant to come, the best method is to reach out to them. It is here that the MVR Cancer Centre's plans to set up mobile cancer screening unit and satellite out-patient department centers in other cities becomes laudable.

Most importantly, our hospitals must make use of modern technology to provide improved care in diseases like Cancer.
I am happy to hear that MVR Cancer Centre has managed to set up India's first fully automated Histo-pathology Lab and to use most modern machines that have reduced radiation time to two minutes from the conventional 8 to 15 minutes.

I have felt that many people refrain from screening, fearing the high cost of cancer treatment.  Cancer treatment becomes expensive due to the use of patented drugs, which are sold at very high prices. Since health activists have been complaining about instances of arbitrary pricing of medicines even in the developed world, the condition in the developing nations such as ours can be imagined. Let us not forget that the Indian Patent Act, 1970 has provisions to ensure that medicines are made affordable and accessible. You may be aware that the State Government's Health Policy envisages the utilization of the provisions of Chapter XVI of the Indian Patent Act, 1970 which relates to the use of drugs by the government. Such interventions from the Government will have to be strengthened to ensure that the common man is able to afford such medicines.

I am glad that the MVR Cancer Centre has rightly considered the cost factor in its aim to integrate compassionate clinical practice with research and education.I must appreciate the vision of this Cancer Care centre to provide the best cancer care in a cost-effective manner.

I am aware that this three day Conference would touch upon research as well as the controversies in cancer treatment scenario. We need to discuss whether the human rights of our patients are properly observed during treatment procedures. The element of fear is currently a major hurdle in convincing people about the treatment protocols. It is this fear that drives many patients to unqualified healers who assure them of remedies without side effects, but end up killing them. Effective and credible patient counseling has to be ensured in every hospital that treats Cancers. The scope of research in cancer should extend to such matters also. I hope such deliberations and collaboration with national and international faculty would help MVR Cancer Centre to ensure a better atmosphere of trust in cancer care.

I greet all the national and international faculty who are attending this conference and wish them a fruitful time here.  I sincerely hope that your insightful contribution would add strength and refinement to the treatment practices followed in our State.

I also compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind

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