As an oral cancer surgeon working in Central India, I have faced challenges at every level, be it diagnosis, surgery or rehabilitation. Central India is infamously known as Gutkha capital of India, owing to large population of oral cancer patients ranging from early 20s to late 80s. Diagnosis for oral cancer is difficult due to the social stigma of post treatment facial features attached to it, due to this, patient don’t report in Ist or IInd stage of oral cancer but rather report to the doctor very late when the disease has reached IVth stage. The treatment of oral cancer consists of surgery and radiation therapy mainly and sometimes, chemotherapy is also added to the treatment.
As central India comprises of many patients from lower socio-economic background, the treatment of advanced stages of cancer becomes expensive and unbearable for the family. At Samsara Cancer Care, it is our attempt to spread as much awareness as possible regarding early diagnosis of oral cancer. This awareness can be created by people themselves, like if they see an ulcer on the tongue or cheek which has not healed for more than fifteen days, they should report to the doctor. Early diagnosis leads to optimum treatment at Samsara Cancer Care.
Central India has some of the highest rates of oral cancer owing to gutka/ kharra chewing habit which leads to a progressive Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder (OPMD), known as Oral Submucous Fibrosois. (OSMF). OSMF leads to recurrent ulceration, burning sensation and continusly decreasing mouth opening and also has higher rate of oral cancer associated with it. At Samsara Cancer Care, we do a specialised surgery for treating OSMF alone or when associated with oral cancer which comprises of releasing fibrosis/ trismus which develops after radiation treatment for oral cancer. This in itself is a rehabilitative surgery performed to increase mouth opening of the patient so that patient can eat semi-solid and solid food and increase his/her social interaction and consequently improving the quality of life.
Oral cancer affects the patient not only physically but mentally, socially and economically. At Samsara Cancer Care, oral cancer is managed by taking care of each aspect of patient treatment. If the patient is from economically weaker section then Samsara Cancer care also helps them in availing treatment facilities in different government schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)/ Ayushman Bharat yojna, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY). Employees working in different central government offices such as WCL, MOIL, SBI, also can avail treatment at Samsara Cancer Care. Patient treatment is our utmost priority and solution to every challenge faced by an oral cancer patient is provided at Samsara Cancer Care.
By- Dr Sanjog Singh, Director and consultant Head and Neck Oncosurgeon Samsara cancer care, Laxmi nagar Nagpur
For more details visit www.samsaracancercare.com