Major Programs of the Goa cancer Society
1) Financial Assistance Scheme with Manipal Hospitals, Goa
The Goa Cancer Society in association with Manipal Hospitals is running a Financial Assistance Scheme for treatment of cancer patients since 2014 where the Society and Manipal Hospital contribute 50-50. Till date we have helped more than 300 patients sanctioning around Rs.90 lacs.
For Financial years i.e 2019-20 &2020-21 it was 168 patients (108 females & 60 males) with amt sanctioned of Rs.58 lakhs
There is a prescribed form available to avail this scheme.The scheme is available for patients from any part of the country.
2) Financial Assistance to patients from other hospitals besides Manipal Hospital
Goa Cancer Society also helps the cancer patients from other hospitals, During 2019-20 & 2020-21 total of 6 patients (5 females & 1 male ) were assisted to the amt of Rs.1,65,000/-
3) Dr.Sharad Vaidya Cancer Screening Package
As this cancer screening package was available throughout the year since 30th Oct 2018 , more ane more people availed this facility at Manipal Hospital Goa.
2019-20 & 2020-21 total 796 patients (644 females & 152 males)used this package.
4) DILASA
A project Centre for terminally ill, Farmagudi, Ponda
The Society has made Corpus donation of Rs.20 lacs against sponsor of four rooms ( two rooms with five beds, one patient’s relative room and one medical store room)
The Goa Cancer Society signed Agreement with IMA Ponda Charitable Trust on 12th May 2016 to associate with DILASA-Centre for Terminally ill, where corpus donation of Rs.20 lacs against sponsor of 4 rooms (2 rooms with 5 beds and 1 Relative Rest Room at first floor and 1 Medical store Room at Ground Floor) at Farmagudi, Dilasa Project Ponda.
Apart from corpus donation the Society has agreed to promote, support and provide all possible help in the activities like Cancer Detection Camps and Cancer Talks. Cancer Camps and CMEs .
The Society sanctioned Rs.201,760/- to 17 patients(F-12, M-5) cancer terminal ill cancer patients.
5) Research Projects
Funding and Support
The Society has set aside a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs per annum to encourage research in cancer by the doctors of Goa or any part of the country. During the year 2019-20 & 2020-21 total 3 projects have been sanctioned.
(i) Dr. ShameerAhmed, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa Campus, Dept of Biological Sciences, Zuarinagar-Goa.
Research proposal on “DOXORUBICIN LOADED PRGYLATED GOLD NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIS AND TO TEST CHEMORADIATION POTENTIAL AS DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM AND RADIOSENSITIZER FOR ORAL SQUAMOUS CANCER CELL LINE”.
(ii) Dr. Angshuman Sarkar, Ph.D, FICB, Associate Professor, BITS PILANI, K. K. Birla Goa Campus, Zuarinagar-Goa
Research project titled “Study of efficacy of Quinacrine (QC) on inhibition of migration, proliferation, angiogenesis and vesicle trafficking network of human Non-small cell lung cancer cells”.
(iii) Dr. Manjeeta Dhume, Dept. Of Oral & Maxilofacial Pathology Goa Dental College & Hospital Bambolim-Goa
Research proposal on, “EXPRESSION OF eIF4E IN SURGICAL MARGINS IN HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA – AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY.”
Till date we have sanctioned 20 lakhs for these projects bills paid are Rs.9,84,460/-
6) Make a wish foundation
We work in collaboration with Make a wish Foundation India fulfilling wishes of cancer kids. During the year 2019-20 & 2020-21 we have paid 2.5 lakhs fulfilling wishes of around 15 children.
7) Annual Lecture
From 2014 onwards we have conducted 6 annual lectures for general public and doctors by prominent cancer specialist and surgeons
Sixth Annual lecture on the topic “Growing Burden of Cancer in India” at GMC-Goa by Dr. Mohandas K. Mallath, Head of Digestive Diseases (Oncology), Senior Consultant Tata Memorial Hospital, and Kolkata was conducted on 22nd Jan 2020
8) Programs 2019-20 & 2020-21
i) CME of IMA Mormugao was held on 21st June 2019 in association with IMA Bicholim. It started at 8:30 pm and was attended by 42 members. The topic of CME was “Management of Oral Cancer” by Dr. Shekhar Salkar.
The meeting started with address by Dr. Narayan Savoikar. IMA prayers and IMA flag salutation was read by secretary Dr. Parag Sawant. This was followed by lighting of lamp. Dr. Shailesh Kamat introduced the guest speaker Dr. Shekhar Salkar and also highlighted the important work that Dr. Salkar is doing regarding tobacco awareness and prevention of cancer in Goa. This was followed by a informative lecture by Dr. Shekhar Salkar. He spoke about methods of early identification of oral cancer, its prevention and details of the latest treatment modalities.
He answered all the questions by the audience.
ii) ORAL CANCER DETECTION CAMP ON 14/07/ 2019 AT VILLAGE PANCHAYAT CHICALIM
IMA Mormugao in association with The Goa Cancer Society, IMA Bicholim and Goa Dental College organised a Oral Cancer detection camp on 14 July 2019 at Village Panchayat, Chicalim. Mr. Chandrakant Gauns was the chief guest and Mrs Sanifa DCosta, panch member was the Guest of Honour. During the formal function Dr. N P Savoikar addressed the gathering. Dr. Shekhar Salkar informed the public that similar camps are conducted all over the state at regular intervals to help in early detection of Oral Cancer. 27 villagers attended the camp and were examined by Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Dr. Akshata Gadiyar, Dr. Soni Rajput, Dr. Shivani Kamat, Dr. Neha Pal, Dr. Isha Usgaonkar and members of IMA Mormugao. Dental cleaning and filling of cavities for few patients were done , 1 case of suspected cancer of Oral cavity was detected during the camp. Dr. Anil Mehndiratta, Dr. Narayan Savoikar, Dr. Parag Sawant, Dr. Uma Kamat, Dr. Deepak Kuvelkar, Dr. Sujata Kuvelkar, Dr. Yogesh Nerkar, Dr. Rahul Ramakrishna and Dr. Brendon Peroz actively participated in the camp.
Health talk on oral cancer prevention was also given by Dr. Akshata Gadiyar, lecturer in Public Dentistry Goa Dental College, during the camp. She highlighted the importance of tobacco cessation as well as maintaining good oral hygiene in prevention of Oral Cancer.
iii) Oral Cancer Detection Camp on 04/08/2019 at Chimbel
The Goa Cancer Society in association with IMA Tiswadi, IMA Bicholim, Goa Dental College and Village Panchayat of Chimbel organised oral cancer detection camp at Health Centre at Chimbel.
The camp was inaugurated by the local MLA Tony Bab in the presence of Sarpanch of Chimbel Panchayat, Dr. Vinayak Kamat and his team from Goa Dental College including Dr. Vijay Naik-President of IMA, Tiswadi Dr. Sumant Prabhudessai,Secretary IMA Tiswadi, Dr. Medha salkar, former President IMA, Dr. Kalpana Chodankar, President if IMA Bicholim, Dr. Sandesh Chodankar, IMA Bicholim ans Dr. Shekhar Salkar co-ordinator of the camp IMA Bicholim & Jt. Secretary of The Goa Cancer Society.
Total of 27 people were examined in the detection camp, 10 people were treated for fillings & restoration in the dental Van, operated by the doctors of Goa Dental College.
iii) Cancer Detection Camp held at Uguem on 13/10/19
IMA CQS in association with The Goa Cancer Society, Goa Dental College and IMA Bicholim conducted an Oral cancer detection and awareness camp at Uguem.
The camp was inaugurated by the parish priest of our lady of Piety chapel, Uguem. Present on the dais were the Parish Priest, Dr. Surendra Verenkar, President of CQS branch, Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Dr. Vinita from the Goa Dental College and two Panchas from Uguem. The Parish Priest gave a brief inaugural speech commending the organisers.
In all, 62 people were examined.Among them there was one case of Oral cancer, one dental ulcer and one leukoplakia detected.
Basic dental procedures were offered in the accompaying well equipped dental van. Special thanks to Dr. Shekhar and Dr. Medha Salkar, Dr. Vinita and her team from dental college and Dr. Sundara Bhangui, H.O. PHC Sanguem.
Dr. Uday Kakodkar senior and Dr. Shankar Nadkarni were of great assistance.
iv) Make a wish Foundation – fulfilling wishes of kids 01/01/2020
The event was conducted at Dempo House on 01/01/2021 with the office bearers and Managing Committee members of the Society .Shri Shrinivas Dempo-President, Dr. Suresh Shetye Vice-President Dr. Mahesh Naik – Secretary, Dr. Shekhar Salkar – Jt. Secretary and Dr. Ramesh Bhonsle-Treasurer.
Mr. Dempo chaired the meeting and Dr. Salkar started the proceedings. Mr. Dempo welcomed all the members children and their parents Mr. Sandeep Naik and Deepak Bhatia-CEO of Make a wish India. Mr. Dempo shared that on the first day of the New Year 2020 which also marks the silver jubilee year of MAW India that he was pleased to extend support of Rs.1 lakh. He also committed of a continued ongoing support to MAW India from GCS and commiteed to match the GCS grant with a personal donation of Rs.1 lakh. CEO of MAW india spoke about the activities being carried out at MAW India and how this support from GCS is so very significant for its growth in Goa.
Mr. Dempo then presented the cheque of Rs.1 lakh to Mr. Deepak Bhatia. This was followed by all the committee members granting wishes of four children who had a wish for laptop, cricket kit, mobile and video game. The children then cut the silver jubilee cake of MAW India Dr. Shekhar Salkar fed the cake to all the kids.
Tea & cookies were served to all the present. Mr. Sandeep Naik had very generously sponsored snack boxes to all the children and parents which were given to them at the end of the event.
v) Cancer Detection Camp pm 5th Jan 2020
Omkar Creations, A Social & Cultural Association, Sankhali – Goa in collaboration with The Goa Cancer Society, Manipal Hospital Goa, Goa Dental college, Bambolim-Goa organized a Cancer awareness Programme on Sunday 5th January 2020 at Mahalaxmi High School, Kudne – Sankhali-Goa. It was conducted specially for women from in & around Kudne village. The Programme took place from 9.30am to 1.00pm. Total 121 women took benefit of the Programme.
The Programme was inaugurated by Dr. Pramod Sawant,Chief minister of Goa in presence of Dr, Shekhar Salkar,head of Oncology Dept. Manipal Hospital, Goa & Jt. Secretary of Goa Cancer Society, Dr. Amita Kenkre Kamat of Goa Dental College, Shri. Jairam Malik, Sarpanch-Village Panchayat, Kudne, Shri. Santosh Malik, Chairman – Mahalaxmi education Society and Mrs. Nisha Pockle, President – Omkar Creations, Sankhali – Goa. Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant urge the people to take benefit of such programmes organized by the social organizations. He also appealed to take benefit of govts Deen Dayal Yojana. Dr. Shekhar Salkar stressed on the importance of Deendayal Yojana & explains how it benefits common people. Shri Siddharth Malik compered the function and proposed vote of thanks.
After the inaugural function,the names of women participating in the programme were registered. Then random blood sugar & blood pressure was checked by staff of Manipal Hospital, Goa. Further participating ladies were screened for breast cancer followed by consultation from Dr. Shekhar Salkar.Simultaneously all the ladies were treated for dental problems under the supervision of Dr. Amita Kenkre Kamat, Dr. Akshda & other staff of Goa Dental College, Bambolim-Goa. Patients who required cleaning, filling were further s taken to mobile dental van made available at the premises of school by Goa dental college, Bambolim-Goa.
vi) Report on 6th Annual Lecture
The 6th Annual Lecture of the Goa Cancer Society was organised on Wednesday, 22nd Jan. 2020 at the Hall no-5, near Deans’s office, Goa Medical College-Bambolim 3 to 5 pm on the topic “Growing Burden of Cancer in India” by Dr. Mohandas K. Mallath, Head of Digestive Diseases (Oncology), Senior Consultant Tata Memorial Hospital, and Calcutta.
The Program started with inauguration of the E-Hall of Goa Medical College by the Hon. Health Minister Shri Vishwajeet Rane and President of Goa Cancer Society Shri Shrinivas V. Dempo followed by lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries.
The dignitaries on the dais included Dr. Mohandas K. Mallath, guest speaker, Shri. Shrinivas Dempo-President-Goa Cancer Society, Dr. Suresh Shetye, Vice-President of Goa Cancer Society, Dr. Mahesh Naik-Secretary, Goa Cancer Society, and Dr. S. M. Bandekar, Dean – Goa Medical College –Bambolim.
Other Managing Comnmittee Members of Goa Cancer Society who were present for the program are Dr. Shekhar Salkar – Jt. Secretary, Dr. Ramesh Bhosale – Treasurer and Mr. Ganagaram Morajkar – Managing Committee member.
Addressing the program the Hon. Health Minister said that Dempo and their family have been contributed immensely towards Goa through different charitable organisations like that of The Goa Cancer Society .
Shri. Shrinivas Dempo said “the Society has sanctioned of Rs.60 lakh for assistance to needy cancer patients and we are a very simple organisation which focuses on our work. He said that the GCS has organised camps in association with IMA, Manipal Hospital, and DILASA – Ponda where in 1500 people were screened. We have also donated 20 lakhs to DILASA – Ponda, centre for terminally ill patients. I urge the GMC Doctors to come forward and give their valuable suggestions and help to take the work of GCS forward.
Dr. Mahesh Naik – Secretary then gave a brief introduction of the speaker Dr. Mohandas Mallath that presently he is the senior consultant, Dept. of Digestive Diseases, Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata and many more achievements to his credit.
Dr. Mohandas K. Mallath who is a consultant at Tata Memorial Centre, Kolkata delivered an informative lecture on Cancer through a PowerPoint Presentation, where he explained that cancers of Breast, Oral, Cervix, Lungs and stomach are top five cancers in India while breast and colon cancer are most common in Goa.
Raising grave concern over lifestyle of youngsters he said “Physical inactivity can increase the risk of developing cancer. Today kid are not able to maintain their weight. Kids are dropped to school by vehicle. Schools are located in cities and towns which have no playground, After school hours they attend coaching classes or watch television or just busy on smartphones. So when there is no physical activity you are at a risk of contracting cancer. This is going to be next carcinogen which we will see in the next 30-40 years.”
He further continued, ”From 1990 to 2017 in Goa, cancer mortality in percentage of all cause mortality went up from 7 percent of all mortality to about 12% and the number of cancer cases has also doubled in the last 27 years they have gone up from 500 cases to about 1200 cases every year. He said that data proves that incidence of Cancer cases among the people below 40 years of age is less. He said that people over 40 years of age are more likely to contract cancer and the incidence picks up in people in the age group at 50-70 adding if one crosses 70 years of age then there is great risk of contracting cancer.”
“Diseases of young age which was mostly infections is getting replaced by the disease of older age. Cancer can be attributed to the modernisation because with modernisation came vaccines, hygiene, better care and disappearance of all infections – related diseases and deaths so that incidence of contracting non –communicable diseases are increasing. Dr. Mallath said 60 years at the time of Goa liberation 7% of population was about 60 years of age, now 11% of population is above 60 years of age so if you look at the cancers cases only in elderly in Goa,it increases from 336 cases to 1320 cases. If you add patients getting second cancers relapses and if you introduce the screening program in the community and get all the slow growing incidence of cancer then the number will rise further.”
He further applauded the efforts of Dr. E. Borges and Dr. Sharad Vaidya towards their contribution towards cancer treatment and cancer awareness in Goa.
After the lecture there was a question answer session for the audience, thoughtful questions came from students’ doctors and faculties of GMC which were answered by Dr. Mohandas Mallath patiently.
Dr. Mohandas Mallath, the guest speaker was then felicitated with a silver plaque by the Hon. Health Minister – Shri Vishwajeet Rane the President of the Society, Shri Shrinivas Dempo .
The lecture ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Mahesh Naik where he thanked the Dean Dr. S. M. Bandekar, Vice- President of Goa Cancer Society – Dr. Suresh Shetye and Dr. Jeevan Vernekar and Dr. Mahesh Kamble from GMC.
The Refreshment packets were given to all the 400 doctors. At the end the Goa Cancer Society brochures were distributed.
Felicitation of the Speaker
From left to right: Dr. Suresh Shetye – Vice-President, GCS, Shri Shrinivas Dempo – President GCS, Shri Vishwajeet Rane – Hon. Health Minister, Dr. Mohandas K. Mallath, Senior consultant of Digestive oncology, Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata – speaker, Dr. Shivanand Bandekar – Dean GMC, Dr. Mahesh Naik – Secretary – GCS.
vii) Make a Wish Foundation –fulfilling wishes of kids 25/11/2020
Make-A-Wish India conducted a wish granting event on 25/11 2020 at Rugnashray. The program was graced by the Managing Committee members of The Goa Cancer Society, namely, Vice- President Dr. Suresh Shetye, Jt. Secretary Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Secretary Dr. Mahesh Naik, Managing Committee member Dr. Sitakant Ghanekar .
President of the GCS Shri Shrinivas Dempo and Trustee of Matruchaya – Mr. Anup Keni conveyed their good wishes for this event and expressed inability to attend the event in person.
They granted wishes of 9 children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. The wishes included a laptop, mobile phone, cycle amongst others.
These children are taking medical treatment at Goa Medical College and Manipal Hospital in Goa. Doctors have shared that granting a wish helps restore in these children hope, strength and joy, which helps them not to drop out of their medical treatment and thus help them complete the same.
Dr.Mahesh Naik
Secretary
The Goa Cancer Society