~ The healthy ‘You’ can keep others happy ~

IN THE WORDS OF COCO CHANEL, “THE MOST COURAGEOUS ACT IS STILL TO THINK FOR YOURSELF. ALOUD.”

Women Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) organized the seminar on prevention of cancer in women & role of robotic surgery, addressed by Dr. Arunava Roy, Senior Consultant Gynaecologic Oncology and Robotic Surgery, Unit head of Gynae Oncology and Women Cancer Initiative, Medica Cancer Institute, Medica Superspecialty Hospital. The session was moderated by Ms. Soma Chakraborty, President of WICCI Healthcare Council, West Bengal Chapter.

On the sidelines of WICCI Healthcare Council, Dr. Arunava Roy stated, “It has been a pleasure and I would like to thank the All-Ladies League and members of WICCI for organizing such an eclectic session. I sincerely wish more such sessions are organized to educate the masses. Cancer is deadly and seems like a never-ending pandemic, yet timely screening, detection, advanced cancer care and essential treatment can help create more survivor stories and help us lead a healthy life.”

According to WHO on Cervical Cancer states that every 1 minute a woman in the world is diagnosed with cervical cancer and every 8 minutes one woman is succumbing to it. The reason is Human papillomavirus (HPV) or the virus transmitted through sexual transmission. The warning signs are post-menopausal bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding and post coital bleeding. 95% of Human Papillomavirus is cleared by the own body but only in 5% cases they become chronic infection. It takes minimum 15 years to reach a cancerous stage. So, one can stop and have timely check ups done to remain free of cervical cancers. Australia was the first country to vaccinate all their girls with the HPV vaccine and Bhutan was the first Asian country to vaccinate all its girls. All it requires are 2 doses between 9-15 years age and 3 doses between 15-26 years and they are as simple as tetanus injections, and it gives 95% immunity.  Next comes PAP smear which can be done through normal OPD procedures even in villages and the ideal age is 21-65 years, in the interval of 3 years and to bust the myth abnormal PAP smear does not mean one has cancer. The other test is the HPV testing which is objective without human error, can be done every 5 years for ladies between 30-65 years. If both the tests fail and one still has issues they can opt for Colposcopy (examination of cervix in OPD with a high magnification microscope) this helps in detecting any pre-cancerous lesions. Every vaccinated woman must undergo screening because the vaccination can aid in providing immunity for 15 years at max.

Dr. Roy also provided a glimpse of what is considered the most common cancer world over for women, ‘Breast Cancer’, where the median age if 50 in India compared to 60 in the Western Countries. In India ladies from 30 years onwards are prone to breast cancer. Early diagnosis is the key. Self-breast examination is an awareness tool and not just a preventive tool. More

effective is clinical examination followed by mammogram and MRI breast alternatively. If you have a family history then get a BRCA (BReast CAncer gene) test done.

Next Dr. Arunava touched upon Uterus Cancer which is rapidly spreading among urban women in India. The reason primarily is poor lifestyle, obesity and hormones. The signs are post-menopausal bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding in perimenopausal age. Obesity is a prime reason behind endometrial cancer since it is a hormone dependent cancer and peripheral fat in women produces estrogen and it is continuously providing stimulus to hormones. 95% of women come for clinical consultancy in stage 1 so the survival rate is higher. Transvaginal sonography is recommended for these women.

Up for discussion and deliberation was now Ovarian Cancer which has the highest mortality with increasing trend worldwide. 20% of this kind of cancer is genetically linked and produces late symptoms. Most of the symptoms are not gynecological rather gastric – protein, dyspepsia, acidity, reduced appetite, swelling of abdomen and sudden weight loss and if these issues are not being solved consulting gastroenterologists, then it is time to visit a gyno-Oncologist and get the required tests showing up an Ovarian tumour that is cancerous in nature. Annual sonography test or Ca125 test (Cancer Antigen) can provide the patient with the right results.

Dr. Arunava Roy, who has performed over 300 Robotic surgeries and is the only Non-European Surgeon to be accredited by the European Society of Gynecological Robotic Surgery (SERGS) delved upon the benefits of robotic surgeries. Which involves less than 10-20 ml of blood loss, no transfusions required, minimal pain without any dependence on painkillers, minimal or no tissue damage no need for antibiotics, reduced hospital stay (same day or next day discharge), early recovery (return to normal life and work within a week) all these at a highly affordable cost.