Columbia Asia Referral Hospital's oncology department has developed a cancer management system to enhance quality of life for patients suffering different cancerous conditions and help them lead a normal life. The cancer management system designed by the hospital aims to tackle the mental status of the patient when diagnosed with cancer.

The hospital opened its oncology department two years ago and commenced the cancer management system 14 months ago. The team of oncologists along with the dedicated cancer nursing staff provide all information on the disease, treatment protocols, side effects of chemotherapy and help the patient to not to enter into a depressed state arising out of melancholy which is a natural part of the disease condition.

“A person diagnosed with cancer perceives it as virtual death sentence and it is not uncommon to deal with situations where family members request not to disclose to the patient. Dealing with cancer demands a multi-disciplinary team effort to tackle the socio-psychological and medical condition of patients,” stated Dr Neelesh Reddy, consultant medical oncologist, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital-Yeshwanthpur in Bangalore.

So far, 200 patients a month who have accessed the facility for cancer diagnosis and care have managed to maintain their spirits which is critical for a positive outcome from the treatment modalities, he added. There are around 85 lakh fatal cases reported annually with cancer and burden of disease is huge in the developed countries.

Modern lifestyles and stress has led to increase in the cancer rates globally.  Oncologists have called for lifestyle changes which include reduced activity levels, increase in ‘fast-food’ consumption, and tobacco usage besides high levels of pollution which have had an indirect impact on the cancer occurrence, said Dr Reddy.

The World Cancer Day observed on February 4 needs to focus on methods to minimize the global burden of disease. Presently cancer is the fourth common fatal condition and expected to take the second position in a few years due to the lifestyle changes, he said.

Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. is one of the first healthcare companies to enter India through cent percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) route. The Columbia Asia Group is owned by more than 150 private equity companies, fund management organizations and individual investors. Currently, the group has five community hospitals and one referral hospital. It operates hospitals in Malaysia (5), Vietnam (2), and Indonesia (1). The Indian management operations are managed from its office in Bangalore.