Organised : 5th International Conference

Bharatiya Sanskriti Darshan Trust’s (BSDT) Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research Centre (ICTRC) at Wagholi, Pune has been organizing international conference on ‘Ayurved for Cancer’ once in every five years with the aim of putting forth world-wide clinical and scientific research in integrative approach of oncology under one roof. Till date such conferences were conducted in the year 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012.

In the year 2017, ICTRC organized camps on various cancer days like International Childhood Cancer day on 15th February 2017, Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day on 3rd March 2017, Colorectal Cancer Awareness day on 21st March and 14th April 2017; No Tobacco Day on 24th May 2017, Cancer Survivor Day on 17th June 2017, BRCA and Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day on 23rd June 2017. These diagnostic and treatment based camps were conducted in Pune, Mumbai, Nasik, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Siligudi and Bangalore. As a concluding part of all these cancer camps the Vth International Conference on ‘Ayurved for Cancer’ wasorganized by BSDT’s ICTRC, Wagholi, Pune on 16th and 17th December 2017 at the Cancer Panchakarma Hospital of BSDT. The construction of the Cancer Panchakarma hospital is funded by Sir Dorabji Tata Trusts.

Fifth International Conference on “Ayurved For Cancer”

Organized by Integrated cancer Treatment & Research Center at Pune

Saturday, 16^th December 2017

The V^th International Conference was inaugurated on Saturday, 16^th December 2017 by the Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of Tata Trusts Respected Mr Burzis Taraporevala by lightening the lamp, offering prayers to Lord Dhanwantari and seeking blessing of Parampoojya Prabhakar Sardeshmukh Maharaj.

The session was initiated by chanting hymns of Lord Dhanwantari by melodious voice of Dr. Pallavi Moghe.

The dignitaries present for the inauguration were Respected Dr S.P. Sardeshmukh -Chairman BSDT, Director ICTRC; Dr. Arvind Kulkarni-Director Oncology; ICTRC, Dr. Shirish Kumthekar– Cancer Project Coordinator, ICTRC; Dr. Sudha Gangal-Research Advisor, ICTRC; Dr. Prashant Suru-Executive Trustee, BSDT; Advocate Sanjiv Gorwadkar – Trustee, BSDT, Dr. Sushrut Sardeshmukh – Trustee, BSDT and Dr. Sukumar Sardeshmukh – Trustee, BSDT.

Dr. S.P Sardeshmukh while addressing the audience highlighted about the background of cancer research project.

Dr. Arvind Kulkarni in his welcome address mentioned about the idea and role of Revered Shri Prabhakar Sardeshmukh Maharaj in initiating the Cancer Research Project, and the establishment and development of Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research Centre. Research advisor, Dr. Sudha Gangal spoke on the need of scientific research in Ayurved for global acceptance and the scientific research laboratory that is being developed in ICTRC. The abstract book of the Vth International Conference on ‘Ayurved for Cancer’ was unveiled by the hands of Secretary and Chief Financial Officer  of Tata Trusts  Respected Mr. Taraporevala, who in his speech, congratulated and appreciated the efforts being taken by the research team and complimented them for further activities. The well wishing message note for the V^th International Conference sent by renowned Industrialist Padmavibhushan Shri Ratan Tata was read for the delegates at the inauguration. An audio-visual documentary about the aims and objectives, treatment facilities, research work of ICTRC was also played during the inauguration session. The compering of the inauguration session was conducted by Dr. Sushrut Sardeshmukh. On this occasion, the inauguration of Cancer Panchakarma Hospital, supported by Tata Trusts was also done by Respected Mr. Taraporevala.

Distinguished Surgeon Dr. V.N. Shrikhande, Ex-Professor and HOD General Surgery, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, delivered the key note address.In his talk he cited at the holistic approach in cancer management, highlighting upon the importance of proper diet, regular exercise, positive thinking and moral support of the medical fraternity which is very important to deal with a dreadful disease like cancer.

The first session was on ‘Ethical issues, Diagnostics and Genetics in Cancer’. The session began with the talk of Dr. Deepak Ladda-Consultant Pathologist of ICTRC. He spoke about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and types of Leukemia. Dr. Deepa Divekar Consultant, Medical Director, Director for Research and Academics and Head of Department of Pediatric Unit at Sahyadri Hospitals emphasized on the need of quality of life in cancer patients and uniform research in cancer. She also stressed on need of drug standardization and scientific researches in the field of Ayurveda. On behalf of Spect Lab, Dr. Abhijeet Patil – Consultant Radiologist, Spect Lab, Pune gave his talk on nuclear medicine. The Director of Megavision Lab, Dr. Swapnil Karnik delivered his lecture on role of Oncopathology in ‘Cancer Diagnostics and Management’. The next talk on ‘Hereditary cancers and their prevention’ was delivered by In-charge of Cancer Genetics Unit and Professor of Radiation Oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital and former Director of ACTREC – Dr. Rajiv Sarin. He highlighted on need of cancer prevention in healthy carriers and options for need of research in this field where non surgical procedures can be used to prevent cancer.

The second session was on ‘Breast Cancer.’ The first speaker for this session was Radiation Oncologist of ICTRC Dr. Jagdish Shinde, who spoke on the role of radiotherapy in Breast Cancer. Next talk of the session on ‘Paradigm shift in management of breast cancer’ was delivered by Dr C.B. Koppiker, Breast Oncoplastic Surgeon and the Medical Director of Orchids Breast Health Centre, Pune. Dr. Anil Heroor, Head – Surgical oncology, Fortis Hospital Mulund spoke on cancers of Gastro-intestinal tract and latest surgical techniques in treating them.Dr. Shona Nag, Consultant and Head of Department Medical Oncology at Jehangir Hospital spoke on ‘Changing Paradigms in Triple Negative Breast Cancer’, she also talked about target therapy and immunotherapy. Dr. Vasanti Godse – Assistant Director of ICTRC gave her presentation on assessment of disease free survival, immune status and quality of life in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients treated with oral Ayurvedic medicines and Panchakarma.

The third session on ‘Drug standardization’ was commenced by the talk on ‘Standardization of Ayurvedic medicines’ by Director, Indian Drugs Research Association and Laboratories, Dr. Anagha Desai. Dr. Sandeep Chavan, Research and Development In-Charge, Bhasma Section In-charge, Atharva Nature Healthcare Pvt. Ltd, BSDT gave his presentation on standardization of Kamdudha Rasa to understand the mechanism of action as adjunct treatment in chemotherapy and Radiotherapy side-effects. The next talk was delivered on ‘Challenges in exploring animal models for cancer research through Ayurvedic research’ by Dr. Arvind Ingle, Officer -in-charge, Laboratory Animal facility, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. Dr. Nishigandha Naik-Director -Haffkine Institute for Training, Research and Testing, Mumbai spoke on ‘Zebra Fish-A major catch for Cancer Research’.

The second Day of the conference –Sunday 17^th December 2017 was started with the first session on ‘Surgery’. Dr. Sujai Hegde, Senior Surgical Oncology Consultant at Ruby Hall Clinic, Punespoke on latest treatment facilities in Rectal Cancers. Dr.Gajanan Wagholikar, Senior Surgical Oncology Consultant at Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital delivered his lecture on ‘Pancreatic and Biliary Cancers’. Medical Oncologist of Fortis Hospital, Dr. Tejinder Singh spoke on the importance of Hormonal Treatment in Breast Cancers.

The second session was on ‘Integrative approach of Cancer treatment’, Dr. Anil Sanganeria, Consultant Surgical Oncologist at Saifee Hospital expressed his views on ‘Future of solid cancers’. Dr. Parag Kumthekar, Advanced Laparoscopic and Robotic Onco-surgeon, Kumthekar Hospital, Solapur talked about ‘Current Strategies and Developments in Management of Prostate Cancer’. The Chairman and Chief Surgical Oncologist of Curie Manavata Cancer Centre Dr. Raj Nagarkar spoke on ‘Role of complimentary alternative medicine in cancer’. Clinical Hematologist Dr. R.L. Marathe expressed his views on ‘Myelodysplastic syndrome’. Renowned Medical Hemato-Oncologist Dr. Boman Dhabhar spoke on’ Lung Cancer and its current treatment trends’. The third session was on Chemotherapy -integrative approach. Dr. Keyur Gutte delivered his talk on ‘Multinodal approach to Head and Neck Cancers’. Dr. Priyadarshini Kulkarni CEO and Medical Director, Simpatico Palliative Connect, spoke on ‘Palliative Care as an integral part of comprehensive Cancer Care’. Consultant Medical Oncologist and Hemato-Oncologist of Sahyadri Speciality Hospital, Dr. Tushar Patil spoke on ‘Recent advances in Medical Oncology’. The next lecture on ‘Management of childhood cancers-current status and future trends’ was delivered by Dr. Shailesh Kanvinde – Consultant Pediatric Hematologist and Oncologist at DMH, Pune.

The third session of the day was on ‘Radiotherapy-Integrative approach’. The first talk of this session was delivered by Dr. Shripad Banavali-Consultant Hematologist-Oncologist at Tata Memorial Hospital. He spoke on ‘Metronomic Therapy: The next generation cost – effective Multi-targeted therapies’. The next speaker of the evening was Dr. Sumeet Basu-Chief Radiation Oncologist at Ruby Hall Clinic Pune spoke on ‘Recent advances in Radiotherapy’. Dr. Sonali Pingley – Consultant Radiation Oncologist at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital delivered her talk on ‘Role of Radiotherapy in gynecological cancers’. Dr. Shailesh Shende – Consultant Radiation Oncologist at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital delivered his talk on ‘Radiotherapy in Head and Neck cancers’. The last talk of the session was delivered by Assistant Director of ICTRC Dr. Shweta Gujar who spoke on ‘Beneficial effects of adjuvant Ayurvedic treatment on clinically evident side-effects of radiotherapy and immune response in Oral cavity cancer patients’.

Case reports of Cancer patients of ICTRC who benefited from taking integrative treatment of conventional and Ayurvedic therapies were also presented by the research fellows of ICTRC at the conference.

The hosting of all the scientific sessions was carried by Dr. Pradnya Tilekar.

Renowned Surgeon Dr. V.N. Shrikhande; Dr. Shripad Banavali; Dr. Rajiv Sarin; Dr. Boman Dhabhar; Dr. Raj Nagarkar; Dr. Sujai Hegde; Dr. Gajanan Wagholikar; Dr. C.B. Koppiker; Dr. Deepa Divekar; Dr. Tejinder Singh visited ICTRC’s Research laboratory, Radiation unit, Surgery unit and various departments of ICTRC. They expressed appreciation of research work which is being carried out at the centre. These distinguished oncologists also interacted with cancer patients who have taken conventional treatment along with supportive Ayurvedic treatment at ICTRC.

On the occasion of the V^th International Conference on ‘Ayurved for Cancer’ the special OPDs were inaugurated viz Organ Specific OPD was inaugurated by Dr. Shripad Banavali, Genetics OPD was inaugurated by the hands of Dr. Boman Dhabar, the Counseling OPD was inaugurated jointly by Dr.Sumeet Basu and Dr. Shailesh Kanvinde, Panchakarma OPD was inaugurated by Dr. Sonali Pingley while Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle modification OPD was inaugurated by Dr. R. L. Marathe.

Various poster presentations like Ayurvedic aspect of hereditary cancers, efficacy of oral Ayurvedic medicines and Panchakarma in triple negative breast cancer patients in improving survival and quality of life, efficacy of oral Ayurvedic medicines and Panchakarma in improving survival and quality of life in patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, comparative study of hepatic cancers, Ayurvedic aspect of diet as a causative factor in colorectal cancers.

An exhibition on ‘Cancer-Ayurveda’ was also displayed. Books published by BSDT for public awareness and medicines prepared by Atharva Nature Healthcare Private Limited were available for sale.’Kamayani’ an organization working for handicapped children had put up a stall which had stationary material for medical use and artifacts for sale.

The Valedictory function was hosted by Deputy Director of ICTRC Dr. Vineeta Deshmukh. Mementos were presented by Director of ICTRC, Dr. S.P Sardeshmukh Sir and Research Advisor Dr. Sudha Gangal to each and every person involving clinical and non-clinical staff who contributed in making this conference successful. The event was concluded by melodious singing of Pasayadan by Dr. Pallavi Moghe.

On occasion of this V^th International Conference the changes in current and future trends in cancer treatment and the use of ancient science of Ayurveda in improving quality of life of cancer patients was highlighted by research papers presented which stressed the need of Integration in cancer treatments.