Harbinger of hope

V. Shanta on a life spent in the research and treatment of cancer and the need for better awareness about it.

November 25, 2010 08:41 pm | Updated 08:41 pm IST - Chennai

Shantha, Chairman of the Cancer Institute in Adyar. Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

Shantha, Chairman of the Cancer Institute in Adyar. Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

Breakthroughs, achievements, accolades. She has seen them all. But her greatest moment is when a patient walks out happy — body healed, hope renewed. This doctor has been working tirelessly to eradicate the fear of cancer. “Early detection, early cure” is the mantra she has been propagating for the last half-a-century and more. At 83, a frail, yet resolute V. Shanta carries on her battle against cancer.

A student of the National Girls High School, Dr. Shanta, after obtaining her M.D., stepped into Cancer Institute (WIA),Canal Bank Road, Adyar on Tamil New Year's day, 1955. And, has seldom left it since. “Whatever has been achieved at the institution is the joint effort of Dr. S. Krishnamurthi, I and the team,” states Dr. Shanta, Chairperson of the Cancer Institute. There is a considerable void with his passing away four months ago and it is evident she is till trying to come to terms with the loss. Thoughts are voiced on the meaning of life and death. But then the present returns.

“It was a conjunction of stars, I suppose,” she ruminates about how she came here. “The institute started as a four-bed hospital. And with only two Honorary Medical Officers — Dr. Krishnamurthi and I. I opted to come here on a salary of Rs. 200.” Today, the institute has two premises and 431 beds. Approximately 10,000 new patients come here every year and 1.2 lakh review patients.

It is hard for others who have not experienced it to understand the story of a voluntary institution, the many hurdles and frustrations that have to be faced, says the Magsaysay award recipient who identifies totally with the institution.

She laughs in remembrance of how Dr. Krishnamurthi who was happy working in England after training in the treatment of cancer in the U.S. was recalled home by his mother, Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy. ‘Mother serious' went the telegram. He returned to find his mother fine and wanting him to start the institute and fulfil her vision!

Turning point

Initially, the wards were all located in huts here, gestures Dr. Shanta. But the turning point came when the institute obtained the Cobalt 60 unit, the first in the country, Japan and Australia. It revolutionised radiation therapy. “We woke up one morning to find ourselves famous,” she smiles.

Other firsts in the country were the cancer screening programme undertaken in Kancheepuram in the Sixties, and bringing in a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of cancer. “The institute was also the first to introduce the concept of oncology and super speciality training in oncology.” It took 13 years to get the permission!

Awareness regarding the disease “is better now but still not enough. The educated often wish it away and the underprivileged are ignorant; rural awareness is low. There is minimal dent. Education can make a difference. The definition of literacy needs to be more than just signing one's name”, the doctor points out. “Medical ethics too have to improve. Also, cancer drugs are expensive and insurance is beyond the reach of the poor.”

Will the situation change dramatically for cancer as it has for tuberculosis? It is unlikely, she feels. “It is a complex phenomenon. So many organs from the head to foot can get affected. And, no two individuals are alike. The entire scene is likely to change dramatically with personalised care, with the advent of gene profiling, I'm told.”

Among women, the majority of cases reported some years ago was cervical cancer. But now it is breast cancer. “In cervical cancer, we know the causative factors and with early detection, it becomes easy and inexpensive to cure. It is not the same with breast cancer”.

In men, 40 per cent of cancers are tobacco-related in India, she points out. “In the North-East, even 10-year-olds smoke. The price of tobacco products has not come down. It is important to propagate prevention of the tobacco habit as the quit rate is low. Paediatric oncology is our success story. Sixty per cent of the patients are back to normal life,” her smile returns. “But in all these achievements, early detection is important.”

And where does she get the strength to carry on? “It used to be a kind of passion in the early years,” she replies. “The institute is my temple and I find relaxation here.” As for family support, “I have brothers and sisters. And nieces and nephews. But there is hardly any time to meet up with the family.”

As gritty as ever, the doctor walks to the porch for the photograph. “I mustn't stand for a long time. I had a setback in health a couple of years ago,” she says, softly. But when you are over-solicitous, she brushes it away gently and poses, elegantly framed against the backdrop of the building that has become a symbol of hope and cure for millions.

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