‘Aayushi Card’ for Cancer Patient Launched at Ivy Hospital

By 121 News

Chandigarh, October 05, 2021:- The cancer has gained alarming proportions in Punjab and the need of the hour to check its growth by getting screened on time and strictly following the medical treatment. The modification in lifestyle is also a must as many of our lifestyle flaws lead to cancer. Kamal Garg, Mohali Municipal Commissioner stated this while launching an 'Aayushi card' for cancer patients at Ivy Hospital, Mohali.

He further said that this card would help the patients to get them checked on time and cure the disease from its root. The card would certainly motivate patients to come forward and fight this deadly disease.

Among others, Mohali Municipal Assistant Commissioner Dr Ravipreet Singh, COO-Ivy Health Care, Dr Jatin Sarin, Dr Vijay Bansal, Dr Meenakshi from Ivy's Oncology department were also present during the occasion.

Talking to the media Dr Ravipreet Singh, COO-Ivy HealthCare said that 'Aayushi card' is for all cancer patients with validity of 2 years. Through this card the patient can avail 20 percent discount on all consultations. He informed that the 15 percent discount will be given on radiology and pathology and 10 percent on admission. The free ambulance services will also be available from Mohali and Chandigarh to card holders.

Meanwhile Vijay Bansal, Head- Onco Surgery at Ivy Hospital said that breast cancer is the commonest cancer among women globally and in India. One in four women with cancer across the world and in our country is diagnosed with breast cancer. Annually, nearly 1000000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in India and around 500000 women die of the disease each year.

Dr Jatin Sarin, Director & Head- Deptt of Oncology Ivy Hospital Mohali said that the incidence of breast cancer is increasing in all countries of the world, but particularly so in low and middle income countries (LMICs). He said further that in Chandigarh, the incidence of breast cancer has risen by nearly 40% between 2010 and 2020 and breast cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in India.

Breast cancers in developing & under developed countries are frequently detected in advanced stages, and consequently, more than half the global deaths from breast cancer occur in these countries, he informed.

Mammography is the standard screening technique for early detection of breast cancer which is widely used in the Western world. Although intuitively appealing, self-breast examination has been found to be effective in reducing mortality from breast cancer. The efficacy of the second method, namely, clinical breast examination (CBE) has also been determined, he said.

Dr Vijay said that the use of mammography for screening for breast cancer requires expensive machinery, highly trained radiologists and radiographers and a high level of quality control. In India the cost of a digital mammography machine is approximately Rs. 3 crores, and each examination cost around Rs. 2000. Clearly India cannot afford mass screening by mammography for all its women.