New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) With over 100,000 new cancer cases diagnosed annually in India, a public-private initiative was launched in the capital Tuesday to spread awareness about the disease.
The Cancer Research Foundation of India (CRFI), started by a group of cancer specialists, industrialist and government officials, will look after holistic management of the disease by facilitating infrastructure and intellectual capacity building.
'It is a unique initiative which represents individuals from the private as well as the public sector who will work in various areas of management of the disease to make treatments more effective,' said CRFI founder Sidharth Sahni.
The CRFI board members include G.K. Rath, head of Radiation Oncology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Davinder P.S. Sandhu, Director in the Prime Minister's Office, Rajendra Achyut Badwe, Director of TATA Memorial Centre, and Amit Vadehra, partner of Crayon Capital.
The foundation has launched its awareness programme under Conquer Cancer campaign, which will initiate awareness through a dedicated cancer helpline in the country. The helpline would be activated by the end of the year.
'Awareness is the most important thing. We can prevent 50 percent of new cancer cases in the country by making people to follow a healthy lifestyle, preventing infection and to stop smoking,' said Rath.
The CRFI also plans to launch a web portal for the campaign, which includes creating a database of competent and accessible medical facilities and doctors available at the closest point of contact for the patient.
'The organisation will expand efforts to spread awareness of cancer treatment and screening opportunities. We also aim to set up world class centres of excellence and forge partnerships with existing facilities in the country, both private and public,' said Sahni.
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