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World
No Tobacco Day 2001 At
Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre World No Tobacco Day 2001 Once again, Cancer Patients Aid Association observed May 31st, designated "World No Tobacco Day" by the World Health Organisation, by organising a number of related activities. A Poster and Fancy Dress Competition was held at Jammin’, Crossroads on May 31st and a number of ENT camps were held at different venues in the city. Given below is a report of some of our activities in this connection.
Cigarettes and cigarette smoke contain over 4000 chemicals, including 43 known to cause cancer. The tobacco burns as a cigarette is smoked exposing smokers and people around them to these deadly chemicals, tars and gases. Nicotine, which occurs naturally in tobacco, does not cause cancer, but keeps smokers addicted since every puff delivers a concentrated dose of nicotine straight to the brain and reinforces the need for the next puff. Smokeless tobacco, which is promoted as a safe and socially acceptable alternative, actually increases the risk of oral cancer and other health problems. Unburned tobacco contains carcinogenic nitrosamines NNN and NNK that have been shown to initiate tumours in animals. Smokeless tobacco abuse causes a four-fold increase in risk of oral cancer; long term abuse of 50 years and more can increase the risk by 50-fold. The World Health Organisation has reported that one out of 10 adults worldwide were killed due to tobacco related diseases. By 2003, 10 million people will die because of smoking. The Indian Council of Medical Research has estimated that India accounts for a third of the three million people who die from tobacco-related causes every year. Mass usage of indigenous tobacco products like gutkha, pan masalas, masheri, snuff, zarda, khaini, and gudakhu (tobacco paste) have resulted in the country recording the highest number of oral cancer cases in the world. Every year over 1.6 lakh new oral cancer cases, 4.5 million cardio-vascular diseases cases and 3.9 million cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are identified as a result of tobacco use. The estimated cost of treating tobacco-related diseases is Rs. 25,000 crores-much larger than the size of the entire Indian tobacco industry. A disturbing trend is that the majority of abusers are youngsters in the age group 20-30, compared to 30-40 in the 1980s. Poster Painting and Fancy Dress Competition With this background, CPAA decided on a unique launch to this year’s activities through a programme targeting children in the age group 5-15 years. A Poster Painting and Fancy Dress competition was arranged at Jammin’, Crossroads, the theme being Anti-Tobacco messages of the participants choice. 132 enthusiastic children took part in the competition. The posters were judged in three age groups, less than 10 years, 11-12 years and 13 years and above. Two prizes were given in each category. The judges were Juhi Chawla, Sonu Nigam and Shaan. All the participants were given board games, paints and crayons. The prizewinners received gift vouchers from Crossroads and watches from Titan. Snacks were provided. The children came up with novel views while reinforcing the basic Anti-Tobacco message. It was interesting to see how they perceived the problem from their perspective. Tobacco was picturised in the form of a skull, as a dragon, a monster who broke up families. The Fancy dress competition also showcased innovative ideas. A child who subsequently got the first prize had pasted various forms of tobacco on the front of her black dress and a skeleton on the back symbolising the consequences of the habit. CPAA wishes to convey their thanks to our celebrity guests for taking the time to attend the programme. Everyone present was thrilled to see Juhi Chawla, who has supported many of CPAA’s activities in the past as well. Both Sonu Nigam and Shaan treated the delighted audience to an impromptu rendition of some of their popular songs. We would like to convey our gratitude to the Acron Division of Pidilite Industries who supported the Drawing and Fancy Dress Competition and provided crayons and paints to all of the participants. Bhairavi Maniar and Network Advertising created the artwork for the T-shirts, hoardings, bus panels, press ads, certificates and posters in record time. Hiroo Gidwani of Desserts R Us provided the delicious brownies and Vicky Khatwani and Anjali assisted us during the function. Rashmi Nath personally took a great deal of interest in the organisation of the programme at Jammin’. Many thank for the gift vouchers that were awarded to the prizewinners. Bijou Kurien of Titan sanctioned the Dash watches that were treasured by the winners. Every year, as a part of our World No Tobacco day activities, CPAA organises Head and Neck check-up camps at locations all over Mumbai. Locations are identified where there is likely to be a high proportion of tobacco abuse. Typically factory, mill and office workers have spare money. Out of sheer boredom or peer pressure, many take to the habit without realizing how dangerous the consequences are. This is also a group that is fairly stable and can be contacted in case follow up is required. This year, 14 ENT camps were held as a part of World No Tobacco Day activities. A total of 2564 people were covered at ONGC, Bandra; Lions Club, Garodia Nagar; RTO, Wadala; Janseva Pratishthan, Mulund; Film City, Goregaon; BEST, Mumbai Central; Madhusudan Mills; Pawan Hans Helicopters; Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd; CG International; Police Station, Palton Road; BMC, Palton Road and Mazgaon Docks besides the camp at Hutatma Chowk held on 31st May which is open to the public. As many as 1251 or 48.8% people were found to be abusing tobacco in one form or the other. These people will be followed up for periods varying from 1 month to 1 year depending on the precancerous conditions detected during their check-up. The check-up starts with taking the history of each person. Their name and tobacco habits are noted. The address is carefully recorded so that meaningful follow up is possible. A thorough Ear, Nose & Throat examination by specialist doctors follows and the forms are returned to CPAA counselors who study the doctor’s findings as well as the self-reported tobacco habits. Every tobacco abuser is told of the harms of chewing tobacco or smoking cigarettes. In most cases a tobacco habit leaves telltale signs of erosion, leucoplakia, melanine pigmentation and even submucous fibrosis, an inability to open the mouth fully. These are all early warning signs of cancer that are pointed out. Many people express an inability to leave the habit. These people are advised to gradually taper off by taking a mixture of fennel and carom seeds instead of tobacco initially; sweets and Poppins later; before giving up all crutches. Cigarette smokers are given copies of CPAA’s "Tips to Quit Smoking" to help them in their efforts. Many people do not respond. They are shown pictures of patients of oral cancers. While CPAA avoids the use of threats to motivate people, preferring to educate so that the individual reaches the correct conclusion on their own, this has been found to be the only effective way to convince some people in the short times available to counselors. The most satisfying interaction is when a self-confessed tobacco abuser takes out his packet and vows to give up the habit. The hardest is telling someone that his lesion needs to be investigated by biopsy at Tata Memorial Hospital. The fear and dread on the face of such a person is a warning to everyone who witnesses the scene. An outstanding achievement this year was the invitation extended by Doordarshan to Ms. Neeta More to participate in their programme "Hello Sakhi" on the topic of early diagnosis of cancer. Listeners call in from all over Maharashtra with their queries in this live telecast. The programme was extremely well received with telephone calls pouring in. The producers of the show appreciated Neeta’s quick and relevant answers. The programme is watched by a huge Marathi speaking audience even in the interiors of Maharashtra and is seen to be very effective in conveying the message of early detection to regions that are otherwise difficult to reach. The functions would not have been possible without the help of many friends of CPAA. Special thanks go to Union Bank of India for sponsoring 10 hoardings with anti-tobacco messages. Air India put up the message on its hoarding at Kemps Corner. HPCL had displayed the hoardings at all their petrol pumps and also sponsored the T-shirts for the Hutatma Chowk camp. Allahabad Bank sponsored the painting of BEST buses’ side panels. The smooth functioning of the camps has been appreciated at every location. This is the result of the hard work and organising skills of Ms. Neeta More and her team, Minal, Kirti, Jennifer, Rupali, Deepak, Ram, Kishen, Rakesh, Nandu and drivers Abhay and Pandu. Each venue must be visited before the event to ensure that facilities are available. If they are not, the Early Diagnosis department must provide them. All the equipment must be sterilized after every use. With a camp every day, this is indeed a tall order. The proper functioning of the camps depends on streamlined performance on the part of all the members, which was very much in evidence to make World No Tobacco Day, 2001 a grand success. 22 camps and OPDs were held during the month of May. Out of the 9 camps held, 4 were organised at Borivli IC Colony; 2 each at Station Health Organisation for the Army and ONGC Belapur; and one for Inner Wheel Club of Bombay Central. A total of 499 people, 107 males and 392 females were screened in the camps and clinics. 138 people were advised follow up. 13 OPDs and clinics including one Colposcopy clinic were held during the month. 107 males and 129 females were screened. 68 people were advised follow up.
Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre The Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre screened 216 persons during May. 513 tests were performed, out of which 407 were pathology tests. 21 sonography, 59 x-ray and 26 mammography investigations were carried out. 32 new policies were registered in May, bringing the total to 6810. 96 people were examined, of whom 29 had come for the first check-up and 67 for renewal check up.
At Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre A total of 586 patients were aided, counseled and given guidance at our locations in Mumbai-Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre, at Nair, Cama & Albless, Wadia and Tata Memorial Hospitals and the Palliative Care Unit at TMH. 31 patients availed of ambulance facilities, including 2 patients who availed of the stretcher service for long distance. 85 persons were given clothes, 50 packets of biscuits and 70 boxes of Complan were distributed. 16 home and institutional visits were made. 13 of our patients expired during the month. Donations amounting to Rs. 25,000 were collected and Rs. 2,42,075 were disbursed.
236 patients were aided, guided and counseled by CPAA’s Halima Aurangabadkar at Tata Memorial Hospital during May. 180 packets of biscuits were distributed. 64 patients were given clothes, 5 kgs of sweets were distributed. 15 referred cases were helped. 21 ward visits were made. 15 patients were given medicines and toys were distributed to 33 children. 125 patients were given Complan and Horlicks. 193 patients utilized the ambulance facility including 18 for long distance travel. "Can I Help You?" CPAA’s Desk at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Private OPD This month, Jennifer Quadros helped 583 patients, providing literature on various kinds of cancers to 148 patients and their family members, helping 155 in filling up registration and other forms and answering questions about the hospital for 174. 12 ward visits were made. Readers of our Monthly Report are aware of CPAA’s ongoing efforts to provide cancer-screening facilities for early detection of breast cancer to financially backward women as a part of our Women’s Day activities. One such woman is Jaya Raju who was found to have a suspicious lump in her breast at an OPD at Agripada. She was asked to go to Tata Memorial Hospital for further investigations where it was discovered that she had breast cancer. Jaya has no source of income as her husband, a construction worker, left his wife, family and his job as soon as he heard about her disease. Jenny followed up her case by introducing her to Dr. Badwe at TMH. Dr. Badwe was sympathetic to the desperate woman who has three children to support. He operated on her immediately in the No-Charge category. After the operation she was told to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Jenny ensured that all the chemotherapeutic drugs were paid for by CPAA and Orlem Church. A CPAA Fund Raiser donated even the last Rs. 214 she needed. This was made possible by the active intervention of Jenny, who is doing sterling service at TMH. At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children 36 new patients were registered during the month. 366 patients attended follow up of whom 90 patients are undergoing chemotherapy. 45 patients were counseled and given guidance and 20 patients were visited in their wards. 8 group meetings regarding cleanliness and diet were organised and 35 children were given sweets, toys and biscuits. Palliative Care Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital 50 patients, 26 males and 24 females were counseled during the month of May. There were 23 cases of Head and Neck cancers, 7 cases of cancer of the abdomen, 5 cases of cervical cancer, 6 cases of breast cancer, 2 cases of ovarian cancer and 7 other cases of cancer. 4 cases were below the age of 20. Counseling in the Palliative Care Unit can be a heartbreaking job, but once in a while Mrinal Marathe meets someone who proves to be an inspiration for all of us at CPAA. Such a case is that of a 43 year-old lady who after waiting for many years for the arrival of a child of her own finally adopted a little boy three years ago. She was happy and contented with her new found motherhood when cancer struck and she was told that her case was terminal. Far from being bitter, she says that whatever happens is always for the best. Her three years of caring for the little boy has given her the joy and satisfaction she was looking for. Her spiritual strength has helped her to accept her fate. Truly, the length of life is not important, but the quality of life is. Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward 17 patients were counseled and given guidance. Among these are 7 new patients. 4 patients were registered with CPAA. 10 patients were visited in the wards. 2 terminally ill patient were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. Rs. 4506 was provided towards medicines. Nair Hospital (Radiation Department) 26 patients were counseled and given guidance at CPAA’s Counseling Cell at Nair Hospital Radiation Department. 4 patient visits were made. 3 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. 6 patients were given guidance regarding prosthesis 11 patients were given information about alternative forms of medicines, 20 were told about diet and 15 about cleanliness and hygiene. Rs. 3,000 was donated towards radiation treatment and Rs. 13,753 towards medicines. 50 packets of biscuits were distributed. The Rehabilitation Centre adopted one new patient this month. A total of 65 patients were helped. 4 cases of mastectomy were attended and breast prostheses were provided. 244 patients were given rations worth Rs. 30,458. Rs. 16,770 was spent on teachers’ salaries, for patient education and vocational training. Rs. 1 lakh was spent on patients’ wages and Rs. 26,199 was spent on welfare activities, conveyance and diet supplements. The fashion show organised by Shaina NC, which was reported in last month’s report, was the topic of a well-written article in the latest "Business India" on new ways used by CPAA to raise funds. Also covered were the novel fundraising activities on CPAA’s website including sale of Rehabilitation Centre items, collection of online donations using credit cards and appeals for particular patients. |
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