Lisa Ray supports the Women’s Cancer Initiative More than 350 cancer survivors participate
Mumbai, Monday, October
19, 2015. Women’s Cancer Initiative - Tata Memorial Hospital, (WCI-TMH) have joined hands with the Nag
Foundation, Pune to organize a Conference for Breast cancer survivors in the city. The conference opened at West End Hotel, Marine
Lines, Mumbai today.
The conference was
inaugurated at the hands of Celebrity / Model and Actor Lisa Ray in the midst
of the Guest of Honour Dr. Anil
D’cruz, Director, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and Mrs. Deveika Bhojwani,
Vice President – Women’s Cancer Initiative and Dr. Shona Nag,Trustee , Nag Foundation.
Advances in medical
care are helping more women get through a cancer diagnosis successfully. In
fact, there are almost one million breast cancer survivors in India today. The
diagnosis and treatment of cancer however can cause problems, both physical and
emotional, for survivors and those who care for them. This two days conference,
touched upon various aspects of breast cancer,
to help women cope with the
concerns that can arise during and after cancer treatment.
Speaking
on the occasion Deveika Bhojwani, Vice
President, WCI said, “This first ever breast cancer survivors’
conference in Mumbai, aims at offering women with practical information to help
them cope with the concerns that can arise during and after breast cancer
treatment. It will also attempt to empower these women to spread correct
information regarding breast cancer among the public in general.”
“We do believe, that the women of India are its strength and its silent
force, and that through their sheer grit and determination, are contributing to
the growth of this great nation. We must do whatever we can to ensure their
well being,” said Devieka Bhojwani
Lisa
Ray of course
we all know as a celebrity and also a cancer survivor, inaugurated the
conference and said, "Deveika
has been an inspiration as she has tirelessly worked to improve Breast Cancer
awareness and provide solidarity and support in India. There are so many
aspects to healing from cancer, beyond the body- emotional and psychological -
and it is equally important to address these needs.”
She further added, “Only a cancer patient can fully
understand what another survivor is experiencing and that's why it's important
to provide a forum for not only Breast Cancer patients but all cancer patients
to express themselves. I'm so happy and honoured to support this
initiative. As you know, I'm living with a condition called Multiple Myeloma which
technically isn't curable and I've had to make many adjustments in order to
continue to thrive and lead a healthy, active life. I know I will gain insights
and inspiration from this conference as well."
“This
is the 4th consecutive year of the Indian Breast Cancer Survivors Conference -
and we are very happy that the response and participation from Survivors has
been overwhelming. It is a great opportunity for survivors from various cities
and backgrounds to come together and share their post treatment issues and bond
together as a group. We hope that the conference will be driven entirely by the
survivors a few years from now. This has also been a great collaboratory effort
between WCI and the Nag Foundation along with oncologists from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik,
Goa, Ahmednagar and Aurangabad” adds
Trustee of Nag Foundation, MD. Sr. Oncologist Shona Nag.
While sharing the
content of this two days program Dr. Shona Nag said that the first day’s
program included educational sessions for survivors with recent updates on the
surgical, medical and radiation therapy aspects of breast cancer treatment by
eminent oncologists from Mumbai, Pune and Nashik.
The
highlight of the educational program was a panel discussion which had
survivors, oncologists, gynecologists, HR professionals and Social Workers on
the panel.
It aimed to answer common concerns amongst women after treatment, on a wide
range of topics, from breast reconstruction, financial support for treatment,
to integrating back into the workforce post treatment.
The later sessions
emphasized on important issues like long term side-effects of treatment,
patient advocacy programs as well as a talk on spirituality and cancer.
The
second day also had several work-shops conducted by experts. Each
workshop addressed important concerns like lifestyle, fitness and diet after
breast cancer treatment, lymphoedema (arm swelling post treatment) management
and even the role of yoga and Reiki in the recovery after cancer treatment.
Once the breast
cancer treatment is over the patient’s lifestyle is often ignored and simple
changes can reduce the risk of recurrence. It is important for women to be
aware of this. Therefore post treatment issues are equally important and
troublesome and interfere with the quality of living.
The
Conference also had a special session for Caregivers who play a vital role in
the recovery of a Cancer Survivor. This two days conference addressed some of
these concerns and integrated the breast cancer patient back into society, helping
them to lead normal productive lives. Over 350 breast cancer survivors from
Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Goa & Bangalore and other parts of India attended the
conference.
Apart from the closed
door two days conference at the hotel, they also took this opportunity to
create awareness about breast cancer, cure, care and rehabilitation through
some special events.
Estee Lauder, the
international Cosmetic Company has been supporting WCI-TMH over the years. They
helped by giving makeovers for the Survivors during the conference.
Well known hairstylist
Yatin Deshpande, donated specially created Wigs for participants of the
conference.
Unilever India, presented all participant with
special gifts of products.
Fashion Designers Shivan & Naresh
specially created a mastectomy blouses that was donated by WCI to the
participants at the conference.
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