Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre, Narayana Health City at the 2nd Brinker Awardee Breast Cancer Symposium highlighted that research had the capability to transform killer diseases.

The event which was held on November 14 and 15, 2015 at the Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre evolved around the theme 'Research Cures Cancer'. The effort was to debate, discuss and raise further awareness in breast cancer, which has been on the rise in Indian metros. Thirteen global and Indian organisations shared the research developments for this condition.

“Cutting-edge research has the capability to transform killer diseases like cancer into chronic, manageable ones. This is evidenced by the five-year survival rate for breast cancer rising to almost 90 per cent in the developed world. India, accounts for over 1,50,000 new breast cancer cases annually. It needs to intensify its research efforts to address needs of these patients,” said Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD Biocon & director- Narayana Health.

Like the US and Europe are able to raise funds for research to the tune of up to $20 million a year alone, India too has the ability to raise funds; however, the need is for focused direction since the challenge is made greater because of the sheer population and thereby the number of people battling the disease, she added.

Reiterating the importance of research, Dr. Devi Shetty, founder and chairman, NH Health City said, the aim of research is to give each patient the best care. Patients who participate in research live longer and help us answer pressing questions.

“For the past 25 years, I have focused my efforts on clinical research in breast cancer with the goal of improving the treatment of women with the disease by defining more effective and less toxic approaches. Research is essential for us to be able to care for our patients better,” said Dr. Eric Winer, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

According to Dr R A Badwe, Tata Memorial Center said, although there have been excellent research studies being conducted in individual centers in India, cooperative research is the way forward. National Cancer Grid (NCG) provides a unique opportunity to create  network of organisations, aimed at focusing on multi-centric studies in basic, translational and clinical cancer research. It helps to identify cost-effective management strategies for treatment.