‘Freedom from Cancer’ project helps 200 patients with treatment and care

As many as 200 patients suffering from blood cancer have benefited from the unique ‘Freedom from Cancer’ project launched by a cancer speciality hospital here, which has enabled them to live healthy and productive lives for over five years. Over 330 patients have been enrolled in the project since it was launched in 2015.

The treatment of adults is facilitated by philanthropists, charitable trusts and individual donors. Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital took up the project in August 2015 for making an effective intervention in the treatment of cancer patients who were unable to bear the expenses. They are at present getting free medicines, investigations and nursing facilities.

Hospital Director (Clinical Services) S. G. Kabra told The Hindu on Friday that patients suffering from Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) blood cancer, which affects the bone marrow and blood as a result of chromosomal mutation and abnormality, were selected as the beneficiaries. “With an expenditure of ₹2.28 crore so far, the project is more than a medical programme. It gives life, dignity and equality to the cancer patients,” Dr. Kabra said.

Patients from weaker sections were earlier facing the challenges of lifelong treatment, annual tests with recurring expenses and the risk of progression to advanced and untreatable stages on stopping the treatment. “Our success stories have proved that cancer can be defeated when treatment is accessible to all,” Dr. Kabra said.

The project has laid emphasis on “target therapy” through Imatinib drug, which has turned out to be a very effective medicine internationally. The drug has led to complete and long-lasting remission of CML in over 85% of the patients, and the families of 200 persons, who are now completely cancer-free, are collectively saving ₹40 lakh every year.

CML was the first cancer that was linked to chromosomal mutation, described in medical circles as the Philadelphia chromosome. “If the cancer promoting enzyme could be inhibited, the cancer growth stops. The research led to development of Imatinib in 1990 and the FDA approved it in 2001 after human trial,” said Dr. Kabra, who is also a medical science researcher and activist.

The medicine acts only on cancer cells, keeping other dividing cells of the body unaffected and leaving virtually no side effects. The project has helped people like Vijay Lal, 68, who is supporting his large family with farming after recovery from cancer eight years ago, and Parmeshwari Devi, a 65-year-old widow, who is cherishing a cancer-free life with her daughter and grandchildren.

Bhagirath, once a struggling goldsmith who fought leukemia and later CML, is living a full and productive life while getting free lifelong treatment under the project. Dr. Kabra said the compliance had been ensured in the project, giving the patients dignity and quality of life, restoring the families and saving “countless futures”.