The addition of about a million new cancer patients in the country leaves little resources to meet the post-treatment clinical, psychological and emotional needs of survivors. In order to contribute to this ever neglected area of concern in cancer care, many of the NGOs in the past devoted their activities towards pain and palliative care, providing prosthesis to survivors, emotional support and counseling of patients.

At CFI, we are deeply conscious that in a situation where cancer treatment means merely surgical, medical and radiotherapy intervention, that's it - attention to survivors' issues is as important as augmenting cancer prevention and early detection facilities in the country. From the very beginning CFI has addressed this important service to cancer patients through Cancer Helpline, where survivors are being provided clinical counseling and consultation by a panel of expert counselors and oncologists.

CFI has recently conducted a survey among cancer survivors in Kolkata to recognize their needs in order to provide them an improved quality of life and clinical support. Based on the feedback received, CFI proposes to start soon a Cancer Survivors' Resource Centre designed to cater services such as clinical consultancy, dietary and nutritional counselling, pain & palliative and psych-oncology support, prosthesis availability, nursing services and home patient care and subsidized drugs / medicines with home medical equipment.

Sutent ® Patient Assistance Programme

 Target population: Renal Cell Carcinoma (metastatic) patients

 Supported by: V Care Foundation. Mumbai

 Period: 2008   
 Investigator: Sutapa Biswas
 Project status: Ongoing