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