A Conversation at Amrit Dhara – Why Prevention Must Walk Hand in Hand with Palliative Care for Oral Cancers in Odisha

I recently had the privilege of spending time at Amrit Dhara with Dr. Mami Parija, a Devi Awardee, and her incredible team. Our discussion, though informal, touched on some of the most pressing and emotional realities of cancer care in Odisha.

What came up quickly in our exchange was the alarming prevalence of oral cancer in Odisha, and more importantly, the fact that most cases are diagnosed at Stage IV. It’s a stage where curative options are few and suffering is immense.

That’s where palliative care becomes critical. Not as an afterthought, but from the very point of diagnosis. It’s not just about easing pain—it’s about restoring dignity, offering emotional support, and helping families navigate an incredibly difficult journey. The anguish is real, and the guilt is often overwhelming. I’ve heard patients say:

“Why didn’t anyone tell me tobacco was this dangerous?”
 “Why couldn’t someone help me quit?”

These aren’t isolated voices. They represent a collective regret that society could have done more, earlier.

We also reflected on how tobacco addiction is no longer a ‘bad habit’—it’s a medical condition, one that can and must be treated like any other chronic disease. The path from addiction to cessation is scientific and structured, and support is available.

At ICanCaRe, we’ve been working on campaigns like ‘SAVE the Youth’, which focuses on:

  • KNOW TOBACCO – Spreading awareness of the real risks

  • CHOTA DHANA – Behavioral nudges to resist first use

  • STAGE ZERO detection – Identifying lesions before they become cancer

  • Tobacco Cessation (QUIT) – Structured, evidence-based treatment for all users

Yet, even as we continue these efforts, the need for palliative care cannot be overlooked. For thousands already diagnosed late, it remains their only refuge.

But perhaps the most important realization we shared that day was this: Prevention and early detection must become our collective priority. They are the only true solutions that can save lives, reduce financial burden, and protect the environment in the long run.

Our conversation ended not with a conclusion, but with a renewed sense of responsibility.

It’s time for governments, corporates (through CSR), and healthcare systems to channel energy and resources into preventive models. Because every life saved early is a journey spared from unnecessary suffering.

 #ICanCaRe #OralCancer #PreventiveHealth #PalliativeCare #PublicHealth #CSR #TobaccoCessation #CancerAwareness #SaveTheYouth #amritdhara #odisha

Author: Prof. Dr. Pawan Gupta M.Ch.

Founder –  ICanCaRe

Sr. Director – MAX Vaishali

Oral Cancer Surgeon | Tobacco Cessation Expert

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/meaningful-exchange-amrit-dhara-reflections-preventive-care-el5vc

PROFILE of PAWAN GUPTA

www.linkedin.com/in/drpawangupta

www.drpawangupta.in

pawan@icancare.com

Tobacco MARSHAL Program Launched in Odisha to Combat Rising Tobacco Menace

Bhubaneswar | April 13, 2025

In a powerful move to combat the growing menace of tobacco addiction and oral cancer in Odisha, I CAN WIN Foundation, in collaboration with ICanCaRe and Gupta Distributors, launched the Tobacco MARSHAL Program in Bhubaneswar. The introductory session was held at the Hanspal office of Gupta Distributors, graciously hosted by Mr. Prerit Gupta, Director, and supported by Mr. Rajesh Gupta, Chairman, Gupta Group of Businesses.

Led by Dr. Pawan Gupta, Senior Director – Surgical Oncology at MAX Hospitals, Delhi NCR, and Founder of ICanCaRe, the session educated the audience on early signs of oral cancer—highlighting the campaign message: “Catch Cancer at Stage 0 with Chhota Daana.”

👥 Dignitaries and Key Participants

The session witnessed the enthusiastic participation of several prominent individuals:

  • Mr. Biswajit Patra, Businessman and Secretary Elect, Rotary Club Bhubaneswar, expressed commitment to partner with ICanCaRe to take the Tobacco MARSHAL initiative to grassroots through Rotary channels.
  • Mr. Prashanna Kumar Mishra, Advocate, Odisha Bar Association, proposed tobacco awareness camps at Cuttack High Court for members of the legal community.
  • Mr. Rakesh Barick, Secretary, SAI Sports Association & Manager at Panasonic Odisha, showed interest in organizing a mega awareness drive with a seating capacity of 1000.
  • Ms. Ipshita Sarkar, Psycho-oncologist, actively addressed psychological aspects of tobacco addiction and guided participants through mental health aspects of cessation.

🔬 Real Impact: From Awareness to Action

The event was not just informative but also action-oriented:

  • Three participants were screened and found with restricted mouth opening and lesions, who were immediately guided for further diagnosis and treatment.
  • The revolutionary device TrisCaRe was introduced as a vital solution for trismus management in oral cancer and pre-cancer cases.

Dr. Pawan emphasized the availability of structured medical treatment to help individuals quit tobacco and highlighted the digital quitline (📞 9773856664) and the ICanCaRe App-based Quit Program that provides behavioral and pharmacological support.

💬 Questions That Matter

One of the most relevant and heartfelt questions came from Mr. Prerit and Mr. Anis:
“How can one resist peer pressure when everyone in the friend circle uses tobacco and alcohol?”
 Dr. Pawan’s response was direct and empowering:

“Motivation is the key—and the good news is that medical treatment is available to help quit tobacco. With proper support and medication for just 3 months, one can be free from cravings and withdrawal symptoms.”

Mr. Anis, inspired by the session, immediately scheduled a consultation to help his father begin the tobacco cessation journey.

🔗 Watch the Full Program Here

📺 YouTube Live – Gupta Distributors https://www.youtube.com/live/vhsUxES-aKA

🌱 The Beginning of a Movement in Odisha

The session ended on a hopeful note, with Mr. Rajesh Gupta committing full support to the #SaveTheYouth campaign in Odisha. Volunteers came forward to enroll as Tobacco MARSHALs and pledged to spread awareness in schools, offices, and communities.

📞 Call to Action

💬 Want to be a part of this movement?
🔗 Register as a Tobacco MARSHAL here: www.icancare.in/academy/marshal
 📞 Helpline: 9773856664
📧 Email: support@icancare.com

Together, let’s kill the modern demon – Tambaku-Asur.
Let’s save lives. Let’s save our youth.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/introducing-tobacco-marshal-odisha-groundbreaking-step-towards-whdcc

Revolutionizing Oral Cancer Care: ICanCaRe’s Innovations at ODITELEMEDICON 2025

Dr. Pawan Gupta, Executive Committee Member of the Telemedicine Society of India (TSI) 2023–2025, had the honor of delivering a keynote address at the prestigious 13th ODITELEMEDICON 2025. This significant event was organized by the TSI Odisha Chapter in collaboration with the District Health Administration, Angul, on April 12, 2025, at the Black Diamond Complex, Angul, Odisha. The conference’s central theme, “Emerging Technologies Influencing Healthcare Services,” provided an excellent platform to explore innovative solutions in healthcare delivery.

In his compelling presentation, titled “NEWER MODALITIES of TELECARE in Oral Cancer – Indian Solution for Indian Problem”, Dr. Gupta addressed the critical need for accessible and scalable telecare solutions tailored specifically for oral cancer management in India’s rural and underserved regions.

Dr. Gupta highlighted pressing challenges in oral cancer care, including limited availability of skilled healthcare professionals, gaps in public awareness, insufficient follow-up for oral pre-malignant lesions (PML), and the absence of regional quitline services. To address these challenges, he showcased the pioneering telecare model developed by ICanCaRe, a holistic approach blending digital technology, community engagement, and advanced healthcare solutions.

Significant initiatives presented include:

  • The ICanCaRe digital platform facilitating tele-consultations, tobacco cessation programs, and comprehensive patient management.
  • AI-driven diagnostic tools for the early detection and accurate categorization of oral lesions, in partnership with prestigious institutions like IIT Delhi and RRCAT.
  • Adoption of non-invasive therapies such as Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and Photobiomodulation (PBM) for effectively treating PML and recurrent oral cancers.
  • Introduction of the patented TrisCaRe mouth-opening device, an innovative solution for managing trismus caused by smokeless tobacco use.

Dr. Gupta shared powerful case studies demonstrating the remarkable success of ICanCaRe’s tobacco cessation programs, achieving significant lesion regression and dramatically improving patient outcomes. Additionally, he underscored the extensive training initiatives by the ICanCaRe Academy, which has successfully trained over 950 certified tobacco cessation experts nationwide, significantly enhancing local healthcare capacity.

Concluding his address, Dr. Gupta emphasized the need for robust collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, PSUs, and the private sector to create an integrated ecosystem. Leveraging telemedicine and advanced technology, this collaborative model aims to reduce the prevalence of oral cancer effectively and pave the way toward a Tobacco-Free Bharat.

📸 More highlights from the program here: ODITELEMEDICON 2025 Google Album

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