Latest news with #GaganPrakash
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
'MenCan' initiative for cancer awareness
Mumbai: There is an urgent need to spread awareness about "men's cancers," which have been steadily increasing in numbers in recent years, said doctors of Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) while setting up an initiative called 'MenCan' on Thursday. The initiative stems from the fact that many men refuse to discuss symptoms of these cancers - prostate, testicular, and penile - in the early stages. So, 60% to 70% of Indian patients reach out for medical help only in the advanced stages of their cancer. "TMC has special initiatives for women's cancers as well as paediatric cancers, but this would be the first time we will raise awareness about men's cancers," said director (Academics) Dr Sripad Banavali. The hospital gets 1,100 fresh cases of prostate cancer and about 250 to 300 cases each of testicular and penile cancers every year. Dr Gagan Prakash, chief of the uro-oncology division in the hospital, said that there are many misconceptions about men's cancer. "Men do not come forward about these cancers because they are afraid of how society will treat them. Due to this, the number of patients with all three cancers is increasing due to the hesitation of men in seeking medical help," he added. The reverse is true in the West. "In developed countries, the majority of the men with these cancers arrive in the early stages, and the survivorship is over 90% for, say, testicular cancer ," said Dr Amit Joshi, head of medical oncology at ACTREC - the Tata Memorial Centre's hospital in Kharghar - during the initiative's launch. The MenCan initiative will focus on creating awareness and raising funding for patients who can't afford treatment. It will have an arm for psycho-social counselling, including helping survivors with getting jobs. "Many of these cancer survivors have a long life after cancer. We want to ensure survivors rehabilitated," said ACTREC director Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
With ‘MenCan', TMH steps up on gender-inclusive oncology
Mumbai: Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), which has for long led efforts to provide cancer care to women and children in India, has launched MenCan, a comprehensive initiative focused exclusively on male cancer patients. The initiative marks a crucial step toward gender-inclusive oncology as it addresses prostate, testicular, and penile cancers, which are common among men. Male pelvic cancers are deeply stigmatised, and silence often leads to late-stage diagnosis. TMH alone sees around 1,100 prostate, 300 testicular, and 150 penile cancer cases annually. But nearly 80% prostate cancer patients are diagnosed in the advanced stages, which contrasts sharply with trends in developed countries, where 80% cases are detected early. 'In India, only 20–30% cases are diagnosed in the second stage. Most reach us when the cancer is far advanced,' said Dr Gagan Prakash, professor of surgical oncology at TMH. 'This is due to a mix of stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to screening.' MenCan is TMC's answer to this crisis. The programme combines medical care with holistic support—focusing on early detection, counseling, fertility services, financial aid, and long-term rehabilitation through a survivorship clinic. It also works to normalise discussions around male health through public education and outreach. A key concern MenCan addresses is treatment dropout. 'Nearly 20–30% male patients discontinue treatment, primarily due to financial constraints,' said Dr Vedang Murthy, a core member of the initiative. 'Our goal is to ensure no one drops out because they can't afford care, or because they're too ashamed to ask for help.' The initiative includes a confidential helpline (8451009760) for guidance and emotional support, which links up patients with support groups, survivorship meetings, and counselling sessions. 'Our helpline ensures men don't have to face this battle alone,' said Dr Prakash. According to the Global Cancer Observatory 2022, India is expected to record 41,736 prostate, 4,640 testicular, and 11,264 penile cancer cases by 2025. Prostate cancer ranks 12th in India but is expected to climb as the elderly male population grows. The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) estimates the 60+ demographic will nearly double, from 8.6% to 19.5% by 2050. Though rare, testicular cancer affects men between 14 and 44 years and has a 90% survival rate even in advanced stages. Penile cancer, despite being rare globally, sees the highest incidence in India. TMH's audit of 750 penile cancer cases revealed patients aged between 22 and 91 years. MenCan has roped in well-known singer Shaan as brand ambassador. It has also developed a campus navigation app for TMH's 60-acre ACTREC campus to help first-time visitors. 'MenCan is not just about treating cancer—it's about restoring dignity, breaking silence, and making sure every man gets the care he deserves,' said Dr Prakash. The initiative is likely to be expanded across all Tata Memorial Centres in India, he added.
