In an effort to significantly elevate the delivery of world-class cancer care services in the region, Fortis Healthcare Limited has launched the ‘Fortis Cancer Institute’ at Mohali, ushering in the latest available modalities in Medical, Surgical and Radiation Oncology. The Institute is by far one of the most the most comprehensive cancer treatment centres in Punjab.
In his inaugural address, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal, Honorable Chief Minister of Punjab, said, “Fortis has been a long standing partner to the State, bringing in much needed high quality healthcare services. In the recent years, the incidence of cancer has been growing steadily, causing increasing medical burden on the people in the region. It is, therefore, noteworthy and on my request and persuasion that Fortis has built this much needed state-of-the-art facility that specialises in the early detection and treatment of cancer. I applaud their efforts and wish them all success in this endeavour.”
Mr. Malvinder Mohan Singh and Mr. Shivinder Mohan Singh, executive chairman and executive vice-chairman, Fortis Healthcare Limited, said, “We have our roots in Punjab, having set up our first hospital in Mohali in 2001. Our intent has always been to bring the highest quality healthcare to the doorstep of people in the State. Today, we consider it our privilege to launch a dedicated facility for cancer treatment that will provide relief and hope to thousands of people in the region afflicted with this dreaded disease. We remain committed to improving the quality of healthcare in the region and to expand our footprint further so more people can benefit from it.”
Cancer continues to be among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The number of people suffering from cancer is expected to increase from 14 million in 2012 to 22 million within the next two decades. This worrisome trend is even more alarming in Punjab, where the incidence of cancer is as high as 90 per 1 lakh population, much higher than the national average. Access to quality cancer care also remains a challenge. In the last five years alone, more than 34,430 individuals have succumbed to the disease, of which 14,682 were in the Malwa region alone.
The Fortis Cancer Institute is well-equipped to detect quantify and treat the earliest and minutest of lesions through Targeted high-precision radiation therapy. It has the region’s most advanced Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) unit that uses motion based technology to “map” the tumours, while simultaneously delivering precise doses of radiation therapy to the specific diseased area. This accuracy in treatment minimises radiation exposure to co-located healthy tissues and organs, preventing collateral damage. With the capability to deliver radiation up to sub-millimeter targets, IGRT is an excellent therapeutic tool. It is especially important in tissues that move due to breathing such as lung tumours and is of particular importance in treating head and neck tumours and in prostate carcinomas. Early detection and treatment of cancer is key to improving outcomes, the prospects of healing and the return to normal life.
Other state-of-the-art technologies deployed at the Institute include IMRT Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, ART Adaptive Radiation Therapy, VMAT Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy, SRS Stereotactic Radio Surgery, SRT Stereotactic Radiation Therapy, BRACHYTHERAPY 18 channel HDR system for interstitial & intra-cavitary brachytherapy. For early and precise detection of cancer, the Fortis Cancer Institute is equipped with the most advanced PET-CT, an imaging tool that combines two scan techniques in one. There is also provision for MRI/PET-CT fusion-based radiation planning technology.
Fortis Mohali has been regularly conducting several programmes to create awareness and help in early prevention and diagnosis of Cancer. Some of the noteworthy initiatives include: Cancer Screening Camps with Educational Institutions, NGOs, Senior Citizens Associations, Rotary Club, Corporates, Saarthak, a Cancer Support Group and an informal platform to engage with clinicians for patient and their family overcome the battle against cancer and learn from experiences of other patients, Awareness drives in Slums and Breast and Cervical Cancer screenings for women.
Fortis Cancer Institute follows the Tumour Board review, a plan based approach to treatment where doctors from different clinical specialties discuss and review the medical condition and treatment modalities for a patient. The board comprises of a Medical, Surgical and Radiation Oncologist to ensure that a holistic multidisciplinary approach to treatment is followed.
The comprehensive multidisciplinary expertise available at the Fortis Cancer Institute encompasses a variety of sub-specialties ranging from Gynae-Onco, Uro-Onco, Paediatric-Onco, Ortho-Onco, Haemato-Onco, Neuro-Onco, Breast-Onco, Endocrine, Liver, Head and Neck, Oral, Ocular Cancer, Pain & Palliative services and also includes a Stoma Clinic, making it a one stop treatment centre for all forms of cancer. Specialised Cancer Clinics have been constituted so that patients can benefit from the experience and specialisation of various surgeons.
The Fortis Cancer Institute harnesses the best clinical talent to treat individualised health conditions in cancer care. A team of acclaimed medical professionals has been judiciously put together, that includes:
Dr Rajeev Bedi, DM Ex-AIIMS, as director and Head of Medical Oncology. Dr Bedi is the recipient of Gold Medal & Geeta Mittal Award for Best Cancer Researcher of the year 2002.
Dr Jai Dev Wig, Director & Head of General Surgery, also head of the Surgical Oncology team. Dr Wig has over 40 years of rich experience, including holding the post of Professor & Head of General Surgery at the prestigious PGIMER, Chandigarh.
The team of Oncology Surgeons includes; Dr Rajeev Kapoor (trained in colorectal surgery from Australia) with over 25 years of experience. He is also the former Head of Surgery CMC Ludhiana; Dr Atul Sharma Joshi, with over 14 years of experience and a postgraduate in General Surgery from PGIMER Chandigarh; and Dr Rudra Pratap Doley, MS - General Surgery and MCh GI Surgery from PGIMER Chandigarh.
Dr Ritu Aggarwal, MBBS from IGMC-Shimla with a post-graduation in Radiation Oncology. She has eight years of experience in Radiation Oncology. Dr Ritu has received special training in advanced techniques of Radiation Oncology from West Middlesex University Hospital, UK.