Kolkata: When college teacher Kamalika Hazra was detected with breast cancer, she did not waste a single day in planning her treatment. Now a cancer winner, she is ready to take on the role of a guide to new cancer patients as part of a project called ‘Jiboner Sathi', a cancer patient navigator programme.
Launched on Friday, individuals like Hazra have been enlisted to be friends, guides, and morale boosters to new cancer patients. An initiative of the Institute of Breast Disease, Kolkata, a team of cancer doctors, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and cancer surgeons, who are part of the Cancer Care and Cure Society of Bengal, have enlisted 22 cancer winners for the project.
You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata
"The fight against cancer is physical, mental, social, and financial. As a cancer winner, it is my responsibility to lend help to new patients," said Gayatri Chatterjee, another survivor. Doctors said that due to misconceptions and financial strain, many patients drop out of treatment. "The idea is to build a trust factor with new patients when they hear it from the survivors themselves, giving them confidence in the treatment protocol," said cancer surgeon Soumen Das.
At present, Bengal registers about 2 lakh new cancer patients each year. "Many cancer patients fall into depression, and our goal is to ensure that they have people to boost their morale during the process," said medical oncologist Tanmoy Mondal. Senior surgical oncologist Gautam Mukhopadhyay said the organisation will also provide guidance to patients who are facing financial crises for treatment completion.