With the cancer caseload in Telangana reaching 50,000 a year (2022), doctors say that dealing with patients in stage four of the disease is becoming a critical issue. This is also the reason why the theme of this year’s World Cancer Day on Sunday is bridge the gap in care-giving.
Doctors say that care providers often overlook the importance of pain management for these patients and there are many cases of families abandoning patients or completely neglecting them in this stage. For starters, Telangana, and the rest of the country for that matter, lack key ortho-oncologists who specialize in treating not only bone cancers but also assisting patients in the last stages of cancer. In 80% of cancer types, the fourth state leads to bone-related issues causing deep pain and caregivers become fatigued.
India has just 30 ortho-oncologists and the city has just a handful. One of my 65-year-old female patients had breast cancer and her hip bones were impacted in the final stages, Dr. Kishore Reddy, an ortho-oncologist, said. I discovered that she was not eating adequately, which made matters worse. She told us she did not want to trouble her son and daughter-in-law by using the toilet frequently. We did a small procedure and she was relieved of much pain. Until then, she felt abandoned.
While palliative management facilities are nil in the private sector, the MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre includes a 50-bed pain and palliative care center. Under this center, the government operates sub-centers and each district’s hospital has 8 beds.
Speaking about the inhuman conditions that fourth stage cancer sufferers, MNJ director Dr. N Jayalatha stated, A month ago, a throat cancer patient was admitted to the acute; maggots were all over and his family did not even care to pick up the phone after admitting him. Our staff took care of him and delivered the body to the Osmania mortuary. In one case, a woman left her husband at MNJ and never returned. But not all stories are sad. Urologist Dr. C Mallikharjuna says, One young patient was engaged to his long-time girlfriend. A routine medical exam revealed he had a renal tumor with a genetic transmission probability. After the therapy, he had no idea if he could marry, but the girl he was engaged to did not call off the wedding. Dealing with patients and families is essential for doctors.
The rising number of cancer cases in Telangana has put the spotlight on the challenges faced by patients in stage four of the disease. According to doctors, there is a crucial need for better care and pain management for these patients, as families often abandon or neglect them during this critical stage.
One major issue identified by doctors is the lack of ortho-oncologists in Telangana and across the country. These specialists are crucial in treating bone cancers and providing assistance to patients in the final stages of cancer. In 80% of cancer cases, the fourth stage leads to bone-related problems that cause intense pain, while caregivers themselves face fatigue.
The shortage of ortho-oncologists is a significant concern, with India having only 30 of these specialists, and the city of Hyderabad having just a handful. Dr. Kishore Reddy, an ortho-oncologist, shared the case of a 65-year-old female patient with breast cancer whose hip bones were impacted in the final stages. Due to her reluctance to trouble her family by using the toilet frequently, she was not eating adequately, exacerbating her condition. However, after a small procedure, she experienced relief from much of her pain, which she had previously felt abandoned.
Palliative management facilities are virtually nonexistent in the private sector, but the MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre in Hyderabad has a 50-bed pain and palliative care center. Moreover, the government operates sub-centers under this facility, where each district’s hospital has 8 beds dedicated to providing palliative care.
Unfortunately, the inhuman conditions faced by patients in the fourth stage of cancer are not uncommon. Dr. N Jayalatha, the director of MNJ, recounted a recent incident where a throat cancer patient arrived at the hospital covered in maggots. Shockingly, the patient’s family did not even bother to pick up the phone after admitting him, leaving the hospital staff to take care of him and later deliver his body to the mortuary. There have also been cases where spouses or family members have abandoned their loved ones at the hospital and never returned.
However, amidst these heart-wrenching stories, there are also instances of hope and support. Dr. C Mallikharjuna, a urologist, shared the story of a young patient who was engaged to his long-time girlfriend. A routine medical examination revealed the presence of a renal tumor with a genetic transmission probability. Although unsure about his prospects of marriage after undergoing therapy, the young man’s fiancée did not call off the wedding. These experiences highlight the crucial role that physicians play in supporting patients and their families through difficult times.
As the number of cancer cases continues to rise, it is imperative to address the gaps in care and support for patients in stage four of the disease. Greater investment in training and deploying ortho-oncologists, as well as improving palliative management facilities, are essential steps towards ensuring that patients receive the care and attention they deserve. The theme of this year’s World Cancer Day, bridge the gap in care-giving, serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for action in this area.
