Expansion of cancer treatment in Varanasi: Thousands of patients are getting benefit from radiation therapy.
Jagran correspondent, Varanasi. To provide better and modern treatment to cancer patients of Uttar Pradesh and surrounding states, facilities are being continuously expanded at Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Center (MPMMCC) and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital (HBCH).
In this sequence, three additional radiation machines were installed in the hospital last year, due to which patients are getting an average of 350 radiation therapies per day. According to the press release issued on the occasion of World Cancer Day, in the year 2025, 30 percent more patients were given radiation therapy as compared to 2024.
World Cancer Day is celebrated every year on February 4, the purpose of which is to spread awareness about cancer. According to World Health Organization data, 20 million cancer cases will be reported worldwide in 2022, while 9.7 million people will also die during this period. In such a situation, awareness about cancer is very important. Cancer is treated mainly through surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Dr. Ashutosh Mukherjee, head of the Radiation Oncology Department of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Centre, said that about 60 to 65 percent of the patients coming to the hospital require radiotherapy. He said that when the hospital was started in 2018, only 532 patients were given radiation therapy, while in 2025 this number will increase to 4,735. Dr. Mukherjee said that initially there was only one radiation machine, whereas now a total of six modern machines are working in both the hospitals, due to which a large number of patients are getting treatment.
About 25 percent of patients undergoing radiation therapy suffer from oral cancer, the main reason for which is the consumption of tobacco and its related products. On an average, it takes 35 days for a patient to complete a complete course of radiation therapy, although this period may be more or less depending on the patient's condition. After oral cancer, the number of breast cancer patients requiring radiation therapy is second.
Dr. Mukherjee also said that timely diagnosis and early detection of the disease is very important in the treatment of cancer. This not only increases the chances of treatment success, but also makes the healing process easier. However, most patients reach the hospital when the disease is at an advanced stage, posing many challenges to treatment.
Dr. Sambit Swaroop Nanda, physician of the Radiation Department, said that along with modern machines, advanced technology is also available in the hospital, which especially includes giving radiation in coordination with breathing. The hospital is equipped with all the resources to provide therapy as per the condition of every patient.
Hospital Director Dr. Satyajit Pradhan said that at present a total of six radiation machines are working in both the institutions. Three of these new machines were introduced last year, two of which were inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister. He said that the aim of the hospital is to provide timely, uninterrupted and quality cancer treatment to every patient. Emphasis is being laid on continuously increasing the facilities in the institute for better facilities to the patients.
There has been a significant increase in the number of patients receiving radiation over the years:- 2018: 532- 2019: 1153- 2020: 2090- 2021: 3050- 2022: 3264- 2023: 3307- 2024: 3641- 2025: 4735
Both the expansion of cancer treatment facilities and increase in the number of patients in these hospitals of Varanasi are positive signs in this direction.
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