Cancer Symptoms

Call for Case Studies(project@dakshamahealth.org) final date of submission 31st Jan 2020​ PATIENT VOICES This track will provide an opportunity to share experience and best practices regarding the engagement of patients and caregivers and the representation of their perspectives in all phases of the cancer control process, from advocacy and awareness-raising to patient-centred healthcare systems. The case studies will also cover community-based interventions, mobilisation of patients and survivors as well the representation of the diversity of patient voices as a critical aspect of the improvement of cancer prevention and control at the local, regional and global levels.Example of themes for the case studies:Patient advocacy – guidelines Patient communication, data & medical information, including in the digital era, Educational needs of the patient community, Opportunities for collaboration amongst patients (programmes, online platforms, etc...)Cultural sensitivities & stigma, Disparities & prevalence of cancer in racial/ethnic minorities, New models for community mobilisation and engagement SURVIVORSHIP AND PATIENT SUPPORT Patient support programs are playing a critical role in assisting cancer patients and ensuring the quality of care along the cancer continuum. This track will provide the opportunity to share case studies about the practical and psychosocial accompaniment of patients and caregivers to ensure access to adapted care and improve patient outcomes, the quality of life and experience during and after the cancer journey. It also includes interventions dedicated to rehabilitation programmes to survivors.Example of themes for the case studies:Access to care. Quality cancer care, Patient navigation programmes, Value in cancer care, Drugs shortages, especially in LMICs, Quality of life – when do we stop treating?Life after cancer, Sexuality and cancer treatment, Patients’ financial considerations, including health insurance concerns, Definition and measurement of patients’ care expectations (service features, accessibility of information, environmental factors, equipment availability and functionality, etc...)The cancer journey for families of cancer patients ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ​As organisations, patient support groups are facing specific challenges in terms of developing, maintaining and increasing their activities with a view to achieving their objectives and improving their impact on patients and caregivers. While patient groups are gaining in professionalism and expertise, they are also facing specific challenges such as a higher dependence on volunteerism, access to qualified support providers and increasing needs for expertise in fundraising and advocacy. This track is aiming to provide a platform for sharing case studies on the successes and challenges of organisational aspects of patient support groups. Example of themes for the case studies:Organisational development of patient support groups – how does it work? Impact of shrinking health care resources. Innovative sustainable funding models within today’s limited budgets. Navigating the legal and policy environments for patients and patient support groups. Peer to peer support especially at the leadership level. Educational needs and training opportunities for patient support groups. Educational needs of the professional oncology community. Collaboration across patient support groups, across regions and across diseases

. Cancer is a disease where there is uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells that spread to other parts of the body. There are almost 100 – 200 types of cancers. Cancer occurs when the body’s normal cell division and regeneration process goes awry. Normal cells in the body follow a sequence of events - growth, division and death. This programmed cell death is called apoptosis. In cancer, this process breaks down and cells do not experience programmed death. This leads to out-of-control cell growth and division to form a mass of abnormal cells, ie, a tumour. All tumours are not cancerous and all cancers do not form tumours. One example is leukaemia, which is cancer of the bone marrow. Tumours can be categorised as: · Benign tumour · Malignant tumour Tumours are called benign when they remain localised. Benign tumors are not cancerous and cells from such tumours do not spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumours are easy to remove by local surgery. Malignant tumours are cancerous and grow faster than benign tumours. They can invade and destroy adjacent structures and spread to distant sites. The spreading of cancer is called metastasis. The diagnosis method includes taking a biopsy. The common treatment methods are Chemotherapy and radiation. The medication methods are tablets and medicines and regular follow up with the doctor. Come let’s all discuss to make our community fight back Cancer.