Three-day international oncology conference begins

KOZHIKODE: Governor Justice P Sathasivam said that Kerala needs to look at cancer in a comprehensive way beginning with credible online cancer registry and details of all facilities for treatment.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the three-day international Oncology conference ` MVR CANCON' on the theme on consensus and controversies in oncology at the MVR Cancer Centre and Research Institute (MVRCCRI), he said, such mechanism is the need of the hour in the wake of growing number of new cancer patients every year. He said that it is also high time to ensure basic oncology facilities and doctors trained in all oncological surgeries in all district hospitals. Governor said that since screening and early detection are important in reducing cancer death rates, we need to find more effective ways of awareness creation.

Governor also thrust the need of educating women about the importance of reporting breast lumps as breast cancer spreads fast in the second and third stage making survival difficult.

He also said that the hospitals must use of modern technology to provide most advanced treatment to diseases like cancer. He also thrust the need of providing cost effective cancer care to the people.

Referring the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, the union government’s ambitious health insurance scheme, governor said that he hopes that the state government follows the health scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi few days ago which ensures affordable treatment to the beneficiaries.

Dr Narayanankutty Warrier, medical director of MVRCCRI delivered keynote address. C N Vijayakrishnan, chairman of MVRCCRI presided over the function.

Earlier, a molecular oncology symposium was held on the inaugural day. Three sessions of breast cancer comprising early breast cancer, locally advanced breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer were held on the day. Another session on Lymphoma and symposium on multiple Myeloma was also held on the day.