World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2016
Vandana Gupta, a Lymphoma cancer survivor, decided to put her difficult phase in life to bring help and support to good use when she founded V Care, a support group for Cancer patients in Mumbai. Here, for Lymphoma Awareness Day she addresses questions by PatientsEngage:
What are the barriers to receiving the right treatment for lymphoma?
A lack of awareness of the symptoms for Lymphoma often gets it confused with TB. On top of that, there are not too many centres for Lymphoma treatment in the rural areas. Therefore, travelling for treatment as well as the resultant cost of the treatment pose as major deterrents.
What do you think needs to be done to empower patients in the Indian context?
Education of the symptoms to the patients and doctors (specially in the rural areas), help in terms of finances and housing support near treatment centres would be the most important areas which need looking into to empower patients.
What is life after cancer for lymphoma patients? What are the adverse reactions of treatment they have to live with?
Except for the fact that they have to come for frequent checkups, life after cancer is pretty normal. One of the major problems however is the social impact and getting jobs especially in smaller organisations. Medical insurance is denied to cancer patients .
What can be done to improve life after cancer and minimise adverse reaction?
With advocacy, issues like insurance and accommodation can be brought to light and the various agencies like the government, insurance companies and even the doctors can be sensitised.
What are the most distressing issues you have come across in your experience running V Care?
I cannot share specific cases as it will be a breach of trust. But the most difficult issues typically pertain to late detection, travel and staying away from the family,social stigma, getting back to a job, marriage, children.
What do you hope for Lymphoma patients and survivors?
Early diagnosis, best treatment, more regional and local centres, education and adequate information about treatment.
Understand all about Lymphoma and its subtypes
