Kolkata, 25thJanuary, 2019: Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Howrah organizes a Scientific session on Cervical Cancer to commemorate Cervical Cancer awareness month in the presence of distinguished doctors Dr KaustavBasu, Consultant Gynae Oncologist, NH Howrah; Dr Debmalya Banerjee, Consultant Onco Pathologist, NH Howrah; Dr Dipanwita Banerjee, Consultant Gynae Oncologist, CNCI; Dr Suman Mallik, Consultant Radiation Oncologist & Medical Director, NH Howrah; Dr. Vivek Agarwal, Consultant Medical Oncologist, NH Howrah and Dr.KaziSazzadManir, Consultant Radiation Oncologist.
The session witnessed different aspects of Cervical Cancer from signs and symptoms to diagnosis and advanced treatment. The session started with Applied Pathology by Dr. Debmalya Banerjee, Prevention/ Early Detection by Dr Dipanwita Banerjee, Role of Surgery in Early Cervical Cancer by Dr KaustavBasu, Management of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer by Dr Suman Mallik and ends with Role of Systemic Therapy in Advanced Cervical Cancer by Dr. Vivek Agarwal and Newer Trends in Brachytherapy byDr. Kazi Sazzad Manir.
According to recent survey by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2018 the number of cancer cases in India has gone up in last six years by 15% due to lack of awareness or late detection.
The main objective of this session is to create awareness that cervical cancer can be cured completely even before it has developed. Routine screening & vaccine can prevent the cancer at its pre-malignant stage. Minor OPD procedures like LEEP or Conisation can completely eliminate premalignant conditions or even early cancer; even if the invasive cancer is diagnosed in stage 1 and some stage 2 it is operable by Radial Hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. Sometimes adjuvant chemo radiotherapy is required after surgery. For locally advanced stages of cervical cancer primary chemo radiation is the choice of treatment. Even for late stage chemotherapy can be given with palliative intent to alleviate symptoms.
Dr. Kaustav Basu, Consultant Gynae-Oncology, Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Howrah said “In West Bengal, various studies have shown alarming rise of cervical cancer incidence from 4% in 2003 to 22% in 2010, mostly in rural women and low socio-economic status. More than 95% of cervical cancer is known to be caused by high risk strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is sexually transmitted.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Subhasis Bhattacharya, Facility Director, NH Howrah said, said, “We, at Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Howrah have been involved in public awareness since inception of our Oncology setup. This kind of scientific session would help us to maximize our reach not only among common people but also to clinicians. Major focus was to create awareness about the newer ways of treatment and precaution of Cervical Cancer. Thanks to the Multi-disciplinary team of doctors, we are continuously taking up challenging protocols, providing high-quality treatment and excellent success rates”.
The programme was followed by a Panel discussion and Q&A session with other notable doctors like Dr. Rakesh Roy, Consultant Palliation and Medical Oncologist, SGCC&RI, Thakurpukur; Dr. Sayan Das, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, NH Howrah; Dr. Monidipa Mondal, Jr. Consultant Radiation Oncologist, NH Howrah, Dr. FarheenFaruque, Consultant Gynae and Obs, NH Howrah; Dr. MainakMaiti, Jr. Consultant Gynae Oncologist, NH Howrah; Dr. SUjoy Dasgupta, Consultant Infertility Specialist, genome, Kolkata and Committee Member, BOGS.
The main objective behind the conference was to spread awareness about cervical cancer and women’s health issues.