Blood cancer can be defeated with proper treatment, say experts

Bhubaneswar: Around one lakh are diagnosed with blood cancer in India every year, but can be defeated with proper treatment and the patient’s will to fight, medical experts said recently.

“There is a need to dispel the notion that it is difficult to escape death if a person was afflicted with cancer,” Dr Hara Prasad Pati, former head of Department of Hematopathology at AIIMS-New Delhi, said while addressing a programme organised at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital here on the eve of World Blood Cancer Day.

Dr Pati said a lot of development had taken place in the field of hematology over the last three decades and it was now possible to defeat blood cancer with proper treatment, use of drugs, enhanced immunity and a positive attitude towards life.

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Prof (Dr) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, SOA’s principal advisor (Health Sciences) who addressed the programme, said blood cancer stood fifth in the list of critical illnesses. Though the disease is serious, it can be treated successfully, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof (Dr) Sanghamitra Mishra, dean of IMS and SUM Hospital, said those who have emerged victorious against blood cancer should be the source of inspiration for many others.

Prof (Dr) Priyanka Samal, head of the Department of Hematology and Hemato Oncology, said the process of bone marrow transplantation had began in the hospital in 2018 and till now 48 cases of BMT had been done successfully. Stem cell transplantation had also been done in the hospital in February last, she said.

Prof (Dr) Pritish Chandra Patra, associate professor in the Hemato Oncology department proposed the vote of thanks. Among others, Prof (Dr) Rajesh Bhol, head of Lab Hematology department, Prof (Dr) Santosh Singh, in-charge of Hematology ICU, Prof. (Dr) Shivangi Harankheda, associate professor in the department of Hemato Oncology, Minati Mishra, nursing superintendent and Pushpanjali Rout, deputy general manager, were present.