VCCC _Changing the Face of the World (1)

1. Does the word, ‘Cancer’ ring fear in your mind? Does it bring to your imagination a world that is bleak and with no hope? You are not entirely wrong to assume that cancer can mean the end of hope. But then, we also know that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. And VCCC wants to be this beacon of hope and a torch bearer, showing that a world free from cancer is not only necessary but also possible. We are aware how we are still lagging behind in terms of our awareness and investment in our own health. Added to it, the average common man in India may not have the adequate financial resources to go for proper treatment. Cancer is a complex and often challenging disease to treat. Patients often require multimodal treatments that can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. In addition, cancer treatment can be expensive and require patients to travel long distances to access specialised care. However, cancer specialty centres that use virtual and telecommunication technology are breaking down these barriers and providing patients with access to the care they need. V Care Cancer Center, in Kolkata is one such cancer specialty centre that is using virtual and telecommunication to provide multi-modal cancer treatment to patients. With the help of modern technology, VCCC can connect patients with a range of specialists, including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and more. VCCC's virtual consultations allow patients to receive expert advice and guidance from the comfort of their own homes, without having to travel long distances to the hospital. This not only saves patients’ money on travel expenses but also makes it easier for them to receive the care they need without disrupting their daily lives. In addition, VCCC's remote monitoring and support programs allow patients to receive care from a distance. With the help of telecommunication, this becomes extremely helpful and crucial in case of postoperative treatment and follow-up scheme. Oncologists can monitor vital signs, adjust treatment plans as needed, and provide guidance on managing side effects of treatment in the long run. Why this becomes extremely important is because even after the primary stage of diagnosis and treatment, the patient needs to be constantly under check-up as well as regular follow-ups. Now, what happens in most cases is that patients who leave far away from the centre, might find it equally difficult to cover all the distance every time for the follow-ups. We know that for any major health issue, especially a disease like cancer, depends a lot on time. A delay in diagnosis, results in delay in treatment. The longer the time taken to start the treatment plan, the lesser the chances of recovery or survival. Cancer is cruel in the sense that it doesn’t give you the time. So, a spontaneous treatment is the need of the hour. VCCC also offers access to cutting-edge clinical trials through its virtual and telecommunication technology. This means that patients can access new treatments and therapies without having to travel to the hospital, reducing the barriers to accessing innovative care.

2. Moreover, VCCC's telecommunication technology allows healthcare providers from around the world to connect with oncologists for expert advice and guidance on cancer treatment. This means that patients in remote areas or in countries with limited resources can receive access to specialised care and expert advice without having to leave their communities. Although our main centre is in Kolkata, at VCCC, we believe that our mission to defeat cancer would be incomplete if it doesn’t reach every corner of our country. Last year in 2022, VCCC built a centre at Dhanbad, under the programme, ‘CancerCare for Bharat’ which became a milestone and breakthrough in opening new avenues of cancer treatment, by bridging the gap between rural and urban areas. This year, in 2023, we organised another programme at Siliguri under the same banner of ‘Cancer Carefor Bharat.’ Our mission is to reach not only the remotest corner of the country but every corner of people’s hearts and to ward off this fear of cancer. Apart from having a tumour board with specialists, VCCC is providing the opportunity of better medical accessibility for all. As we have tie-ups with some of the top tier multi speciality and specialty hospitals, we can also offer second opinions from some of the best doctors in the country. If you don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket and yet avail the best and right treatment, we have the provision of guiding you through different treatment facilities available as per your need and affordability. In conclusion, cancer specialty centre like VCCC is using virtual and telecommunication technology to provide patients with multi- modal cancer treatment and to break down the barriers to accessing care. With the help of modern technology, cancer patients can now receive specialised care from the comfort of their own homes, reducing the costs of travel and making it easier to manage their daily lives. These innovative programs are providing patients with access to the care they need to fight cancer and to improve their quality of life.