The chairperson of the Cancer Institute, Adyar, V. Shanta, said the availability of sophisticated technology should not be the sole reason for its use, and one had to consider carefully when and where it should be employed, which was better and what the benefit was.
“There should be a constant reappraisal, centering on improved patient care. One should work towards quality care. Marketing practices of equipment and drugs manufacturers need to be monitored. It will be the responsibility of the oncologist to contain cost by prescribing technology-intensive investigations for therapy or diagnosis. The treatment must be patient-centric,” she said.
Taking part in the inauguration of CaRehaB-2019 — the first international conference on cancer rehabilitation in south India — at the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER) on Saturday, she said humanism was a challenge in oncology. “Oncologists should act in the interest of the patient even if it is in conflict with his/her own interest, and not approach the patient as a ‘case’ or a bundle of scans, but as a human being,” she said. “It is unfortunate that once a patient comes to palliative care stage, majority of oncologists do not accept responsibility and patients are left in the lurch ,” she added.
Rehabilitation of patients
On rehabilitation of cancer patients, she said, “Prehab starts after complete assessment of the patient and a carefully planned treatment.” A multi-disciplinary approach and a detailed ‘prehab’ was essential to help the patient through the journey, she added.
P.V. Vijayaraghavan, Vice-Chancellor, SRIHER, said they hoped to have a multi-disciplinary cancer rehabilitation centre soon. S. Jagadesh Chandra Bose, professor and head, Department of Surgical Oncology, SRIHER, said rehabilitation should start on the day of diagnosis. Mahesh Vakamudi, dean of faculties, SRIHER, was present.