Tata Memorial Center hosted The 6th National Conference of the Teenage and Young Adult Cancers

Mumbai 1st September 2017: On 2nd and 3rd September 2017 the 6th National Conference of the Teenage and Young Adult Cancers (TYACON 2017) hosted by Tata Memorial Hospital will discuss the concerns and fears of young adult patients, their caregivers, the young adult survivors and the youth of the society about the current treatment pathway and the way forward for treatment options.
Dr. Shripad Banavali, Head of Department Pediatric and Adult Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital says, ?Teens and young adults (TYA) with a diagnosis of cancer face unique challenges related to physical and cognitive development, identity, body image, autonomy and education and employment. Research till date show that very little attention has been given to this subgroup as far as their needs and challenges are concerned from the onset of the disease to completion of active treatment and beyond?.
?Specialized attention in terms of health care amenities, social awareness and community support, psychological support, education and vocational support is required for this age-group to cope up with the disease distress and reintegrate into normal living? added Dr. Banavali.
Supporting TYCON Dr. TusharVora, Associate Professor, Pediatric Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, mentioned, ?Blood cancers are amongst the most common cancers and approximately 20% are young adults. Bone tumours are rare but 60% of bone tumours occur in patients aged between 15 to 29 years. More and more brain tumours, testicular cancers, ovarian malignancies and even adult type cancers like cervical, breast, lung and head and neck cancers can be seen in the TYA population?.
Explaining further Dr Vora said, ?We need to remember that TYAs are not children, who are blissfully unaware of the magnitude of the problem or the harshness of the implications that a diagnosis of cancer propounds. Neither are they in the ebb of their years to need just to plan some more time. TYAs are individuals who have just become aware of the savoury potential of what life must offer, just on the verge of setting their life goals and striving to attain independence, who have started dreaming of achieving goals ? of climbing the Everest or becoming the next Olympic finalist or on their way to being CEO of a global giant. Peers, society, friends, company, college, ambitions, form their world and then when cancer strikes ? it can take its toll.Every cancer patient deserves a chance of cure, but TYAs have many more hurdles to face.?
TYACON 2017 is an attempt to understand the Journey of a Young Adult Cancer patient ? right from diagnosis, to treatment, rehabilitation, integration back and transformation into productively contributing members of society. At present not a single institute/centre, in India, specifically focuses and caters to TYA population and their issues and TYACON 2017 aims not only to highlight the existent hard facts, but also provide answers to many unsolved questions and pave a road map for establishment of TYA care in India.
TYACON brings together the young adult patients, their caregivers, the young adult survivors and the youth of the society will partner in this effort to define their concerns, fight their fears and show us the way a young adult should be treated. In their voice, by the means that they decide and at conditions that they impose.
About Tata Memorial Hospital:
The Tata Memorial Hospital was initially commissioned by the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust on 28 February 1941 as a center with enduring value and a mission for concern for the Indian people.
In 1952 the Indian Cancer Research Centre was established as a pioneer research institute for basic research - later called the Cancer Research Institute (CRI). In 1957 the Ministry of Health took over the Tata Memorial Hospital. The transfer of the administrative control of the Tata Memorial Centre (Tata Memorial Hospital & Cancer Research Institute) to the Department of Atomic Energy in 1962 was the next major milestone. The Tata Memorial Hospital and Cancer Research Institute merged as the two arms of the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in 1966 as a classic example of private philanthropy augmented by Government support with a mandate for Service, Education & Research in Cancer.

Company :-GRITI PR & Services

User :- Jyoti R. Rathod

Email :-gritiprservices@gmail.com

Mobile:- 09751460607