Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai is organising three-day the CAN-INDIA Conclave 2013, a first-of-its-kind annual scientific conference, for cancer NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and support groups at the Hospital from December 19 to 21, 2013. The main aim is to bring all pharmaceutical companies, NGOs, stakeholders from all domain of cancer which includes: doctors, nurses, volunteers, cancer survivors and government under one roof.

This Conclave will act as a platform to exchange ideas/ thoughts/  collaborate while maintaining their individual identity. It will also give an opportunity to interact with the international and local charitable organisations including governmental and non-governmental agencies and individuals interested or involved in the fight against cancer.

This Conclave also aims to create awareness in public about the warning signs, prevention, early detection, curability, availability of good treatment in India and to lead a normal life after cancer.

Dr Purvish Parikh, chairperson of CAN-INDIA Conclave and medical oncologist and haematologists at TMH, said that around 11 lakh new patients are diagnosed with cancer every year and curable rate is around 60-65 per cent. The curable rate is low because we are not able to provide treatment as per the patients request. So for this reason we need NGOs which provide moral support to the a patient and through this support we are able to complete their treatment as most of the patients does not complete their treatment due to monetary issued. This is where NGOs play an important part in convincing patients to undergo treatment. So we want all the NGOs across the country to come together for this three day meet which will be finally benefitted by the patients.

Dr Brijesh Arora, secretary of CAN-INDIA Conclave and professor, paediatric oncology, Dept of Medical Oncology, TMH informed, “At TMH many cancer patients are recovered fully and we called them survivors. We want to demonstrate that cancer is curable, a patient can lead a normal life and most importantly change in understanding of the patient to make him ready for the treatment. We also have a good example of cricketer Yuvraj Singh how he has recovered from the cancer and now playing for our country.”

Dr Arora added, “For this reason we have arranged a competition 'Kaun Banega Canchamp' on Decemebr 19, wherein more than 100 cancer survivors are participating either individually or as a part of NGOs to share and contribute to eradication of cancer. These survivors will perform at the competition to show other individuals that they can lead a normal life.”

He further added that to recognise the efforts of NGOs, support groups and healthcare providers that are working against cancer and with cancer affected victims and survivors, we are organising a CAN-INDIA Conclave Awards, the first award ceremony on December 20.