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World Cancer Day Spotlight: Experts’ Views on Tackling West Bengal’s Cancer Challenge
– Personalised Care through a precision-driven approach that puts patients at the centre
– Access to global experts and technology to bring in a multi-disciplinary approach
– Introducing precision technology through CAR-T Cell Therapy for cancer patients
Kolkata, February 04, 2024:
West Bengal carries a staggering cancer burden. With 48% of men > 15 years of age using tobacco (26.6% higher than the national average), the state has a high incidence of lung cancer, particularly among males. For patients, the battle extends far beyond diagnosis. Frequent hospital visits, crucial for managing this complex disease, become daunting journeys, often leading to disrupted care and, sadly, lower survival rates. Despite a rising burden, personalized medicine offers tailored therapy.
Recently, India witnessed a beacon of hope in the form of precise cutting-edge treatments and personalised care approaches. For instance, standing at the forefront of precision therapy for cancer, is the newly introduced CAR-T cell therapy, NexCAR19. According to medical oncologists, this gene-modified cell treatment offers a single-infusion approach that significantly improves the quality of life at a fraction of the global cost. The arrival of the CAR-T program in West Bengal marks the start of a new era of personalized cancer care. It opens avenues for newer therapies and solutions for patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma and B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
A cancer diagnosis often comes with an overwhelming amount of information for patients to sift through and remember. In the intricate tapestry of cancer care, case managers emerge as vital navigators, offering a beacon of support for those traversing the challenging terrain of diagnosis and treatment. Medix Global, which offers a unique healthcare management model, further amplifies this support by offering its Personalised Cancer Care Case Management services as a pillar of support for patients and their families. “No two cancer journeys are identical,” says Medix Global’s Founder and CEO, Ms. Sigal Atzmon. “That’s why we tailor our services to each patient’s unique needs. We delve into medical history, personal circumstances, and treatment goals, crafting a precise, personalised care plan just for them. Ultimately, we aim to empower patients, navigating the intricate landscape of cancer care with compassion while leveraging both global and local expertise“, she said.
Medix Global aims at bringing in a fundamental change in how healthcare is delivered and consumed in India. Dr. Ankit Kumar Gupta, Senior Case Manager Doctor at Medix Global’s Mumbai Office emphasises how their model is a movement away from a one-size-fits-all and fragmented approach toward more advanced, nuanced, patient-specific, and holistic cancer care. “By implementing our uniquely managed care models across India, Medix flattens the inequality of care curve, reduces unwarranted healthcare variations between doctors, hospitals, cities, regions, countries, and more, making quality healthcare borderless“, he said.
“The impact and improvement in medical outcomes that we have demonstrated speak for themselves”. Added Ms. Atzmon. “In 7.8% of the oncology cases managed, we changed the diagnosis and helped reach an accurate diagnosis. This includes the type or subtype of cancer, staging of the tumour, or extreme cases in which the patient was wrongly diagnosed and did not have cancer at all. In 54.1% of the cases, our specialists have recommended a different and more optimal, personalised treatment regimen. In 11.5% of the cases we helped, our patients avoid significant unnecessary treatment, procedures, or surgery that was either not in line with the medical guidelines or not indicated for their condition.”
Personalised Cancer Management is crucial not just for better patient outcomes but also for the sustainability of healthcare systems at large. Such transformative approaches to healthcare shine as opportunities for individuals, insurers, employers, and healthcare providers alike to ensure a healthier, more sustainable future.
