Category: ICanCaRe Collaborations

Know about various institution and organization collaboration with ICanCaRe for setting up state of the art centers for training and treatment.

USISTEF 2024 Award for ICanCaRe and Photodynamic Solutions Inc.

Dr. Pawan Gupta and Dr. Jonathan Celli were honored with the USISTEF 2024 Award for AI-Enabled Oral Cancer Screening and Treatment Project

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Pawan Gupta, representing ICanCaRe (Indian partner), and Dr. Jonathan Celli from Photodynamic Solutions Inc., Boston (U.S. partner), have been honored with the prestigious USISTEF 2024 Award. This recognition was awarded under the joint call for proposals on ‘Critical and Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Transforming Lives’ by the United States-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund. The project focuses on AI-enabled technology for oral cancer screening and treatment, addressing a significant healthcare challenge in India.

The award ceremony took place on October 10, 2024, at the Leela Palace, New Delhi. The Hon. Eric Garcetti, U.S. Ambassador to India, and the Hon. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences and Science & Technology, presented the award. Dr. Pawan Gupta graciously accepted the award certificate on behalf of both organizations, marking a significant milestone in the collaborative fight against oral cancer.

Oral cancer poses a severe public health challenge in India, largely fueled by high rates of tobacco use, betel nut consumption, and low awareness. Compounding these issues is the lack of adequate healthcare access, particularly in rural areas, which makes early detection and treatment difficult. These obstacles make it critical to develop new solutions to overcome the barriers to effective oral cancer screening and management.

This project aims to revolutionize oral cancer detection and treatment by developing a comprehensive, portable, and low-cost solution targeting high-risk populations. The innovative technology will incorporate AI-assisted autofluorescence and white light imaging for optical pathology diagnosis, ensuring early and accurate identification of pre-malignant and malignant lesions. Treatment will be initiated with tobacco cessation and facilitated through photo-biomodulation (PBM) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for on-the-spot care of potentially pre-malignant lesions.

With this technology, ICanCaRe and Photodynamic Solutions Inc., Boston, are committed to transforming the way oral cancer is diagnosed and treated, particularly in underserved areas. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire team working on this groundbreaking initiative. Together, we strive to create a future where early detection of oral cancer is accessible to all, improving patient outcomes and saving lives.

Stay tuned for more updates on this revolutionary project!

#USISTEF #AwardWinner #CancerCare #AIForHealth #ICanCaRe #MaxOncology #InnovationInHealthcare #photodynamicsolutions #photobiomodulations #pawangupta #jonathancelli

Inauguration of 1st Centre of Excellence for Tobacco Cessation Training at Uttarakhand

SEEMA DENTAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, Rishikesh takes a historical step to establish a CENTRE of EXCELLENCE – for CAPACITY BUILDING FOR TOBACCO CESSATION SPECIALISTS on 21st January 2023.

An MOU was signed between ICanCaRe and Seema Dental College and Hospital to train dental practitioners doctors, counselors, psychologists, and social workers for tobacco control and cessation.

ICanCaRe Academy as part of the Save the youth campaign and expertise in tobacco Cessation would help SEEMA DENTAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, Rishikesh   for

  1. CAPACITY BUILDING – UTTARAKHAND TOBACCO CESSATION/CONTROL TRAINING CENTRE

With three levels of courses –

  1. Certified Tobacco cessation Specialist (TOBACCO CESSATION SPECIALISTS
  2. Orientation Course in tobacco Cessation (TOBACCO AMBASSADORS)
  3. Basic Course in Tobacco Control – (TOBACCO MARSHAL)

The Courses are Accredited by Gujarat University with the aim of ENHANCE, EMPOWER, and EARN

  • Establish UPGRADED TOBACCO CESSATION CENTREs: for Digitalised Protocol based intervention.

Tobacco Cessation is the most complex of all diseases and needs proper training for healthcare professionals. The participants of the programs would be given evidence-based training for successful quitting in tobacco clinics. Additionally, it will work to upgrade the skills of counselors and health professionals engaged in tobacco cessation currently.

For effective Tobacco Control in each state, there is a need to involve people from all spears of society to work as influencers. In view of this TOBACCO MARSHAL training is introduced for teachers, social workers, Human resources, security, police department, and others

The program contributes to the National Tobacco Control program, while it creates opportunities for dental students for self-employment and also public or private services.

The participants in the program will be trained in tobacco cessation and oral cancer screening.

The MOU was signed by Dr. Himanshu Aeran, Principal of Seema Dental College and Hospital, and Dr. Pawan Gupta founder of ICanCaRe, in presence of Dr. Archana Ojha, Officer-in-charge of NTCP-NHM of Uttarakhand, and Dr. Amit Gupta Chairman, Seema Dental College and Hospital, Rishikesh. Present during the inauguration were Mr. Awdesh Kumar of Balaji Seva Sansthan and Taranjit Singh of Ganga Prem Hospice, Dr. Pravesh Singh, the first Teacher Tobacco Marshal in India and Chairman of Ek Prayas at KIET Institute.

Dr. Jyotsna Seth conducted the inauguration and felicitation ceremony. Orientation Course in Tobacco Cessation Certificate holders from Seema Dental College was also felicitated.

Dr. Himanshu Aeran, under whose initiative the center of Excellence for Training for Tobacco Cessation could happen was very much happy about the joint venture and hoped that this would be a great step toward making Uttarakhand Tobacco free. He called for the upgradation of knowledge as means of improving outcomes.

Dr. Pawan Gupta M.Ch. Director of Surgical Oncology at MAX and Founder ICanCaRe stressed on the need for capacity building for tobacco cessation as a means of tobacco control, the quit rate can be improved with a scientific approach and regular review to keep improving the process. The ABCD intervention model by ICanCaRe has shown great improvement in the quit rate. Setting up the Centre for Excellence for Training for Tobacco Cessation and regular research to improve the quit rate is a big step for Uttarakhand. The need for Tobacco MARSHAL in society and teachers as Tobacco marshals in schools influencers will have a great impact to curb tobacco use and initiation. This is the essence of the SAVE the youth program by ICanCaRe and I CAN WIN FOUNDATION.

Dr. Archana Ojha, it is really good for Uttarakhand to have such a center for excellence. It opens up opportunities especially for dental students to learn and earn from the training. Proper standardized and scalable approaches for tobacco cessation will have a great impact on tobacco control. The poor quit rate has to improve, and it is possible when continued assessment and review with the intention to improve the same is done. She would extend all her support needed for the center.

Mr. Awdesh who is leading the campaign to make Uttarakhand Tobacco Free was also very happy that now there will be a place for skill development of the doctors, and also social workers as Tobacco MARSHALS.

Dr. Archana took a keen interest in understanding the methodology being adopted at the center to improve the quit rate.

The meeting was followed by training the first batch of Tobacco MARSHALs of Uttarakhand.

An Oral Care and Tobacco Cessation Centre in the Oncology Department of a Multi-speciality Hospital – Feasibility and Viability Outcome

POSTER PRESENTATION at Indian Association of Surgical Oncology, Zonal Conference at Jodhpur, 10th December 2022.

Study: An Oral Care and Tobacco Cessation Centre in the Oncology Department of a Multi-speciality Hospital – Feasibility and Viability Outcome

Presenter – Dr. Pawan Gupta M.Ch. Director Surgical Oncology, MAX EZ, and founder ICanCaRe

POSTER – FEASIBILITY STUDY OF ORAL CARE AND TOBACCO CESSATION CENTRE IN A CORPORATE HOSPITAL

139 cases were analyzed in the observational study at the oral care and Tobacco Cessation center at MAX Hospital, Vaishali.

The quit rate as compared to historical data reported was substantially high 92% at 3 months to 39% at 2 years.

Such specialized dedicated centers save time for the treating clinician and ensure increased satisfaction amongst the patient and relatives giving them a feeling of empathy and care.

The hospital gains in many ways both directly and indirectly to meet more than its expected Return on investment.

The study highlights

  • that such centers are feasible and viable in multi – Speciality hospitals and it is the need of the hour.
  • establish the much-needed protocol for intervention to improve the working and outcome of such centers.

#icancare #pawangupta #IASO #AIIMSJODHPUR #cancercare #MAX

Dr. Pawan Gupta presented the Poster at the IASO Zonal Conference, AIIMS Jodhpur