Today is last day of November, which is also “Lung Cancer Awareness Month”. Before this month end, I seek your two-minute attention please, to share and emphasize that:
–       Lots of new lung cancer cases are found to be in Non-Smokers, including in female and young, globally.
–       As officially presented in World Lung Cancer Conference 2022, ‘Air Pollution’ is now number 2 cause for lung cancer.
–       Lung Cancer killing more ‘Women’ than breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer together.
–       If Lung Cancer in ‘never smoker’ consider as a separate disease, that it will rank 7 in global cancer mortality.
–       90% of lung cancer patients diagnosed at stage IV only, because of either no symptoms at early stage or if any symptoms that used to ignored as well as misdiagnosed at any cold, cough as well as TB.
–       Lung Cancer is not one disease, it has so many types and subtypes with their own genomics, treatment that work in one mutation.  Even treatment like immunotherapy works in some types of lung cancer but not with mutations like ALK, EGFR.
–       Lung cancer is number one killer, starting to take face of pandemic globally with being diagnosed non-smokers, all genders and age…but still one of the lowest investments in lung cancer Research and Awareness campaign.
Hence please note that “#AnyoneWithLungsCanGetLungCancer” and lets raise better #awareness, #StopTheSTIGMA, push for more #research, fight against #AirPollution.

In same efforts, I am glad to partner with VOH, IHW council, AstraZeneca, Roche, leading Oncologists, media and policy makers to raise better awareness on these facts during #lungcancerawarenessmonth

Last week I was invited as speaker in my capacity of patient advocate and to represent India & LMICs Cancer patients at Economist Impact’s third annual ‘Future of Healthcare Week Asia’ in Singapore.

I was also invited by WhatsApp and Economist Impact on ‘invitation only’ roundtable discussion. It was great opportunity to discuss openly under The Chatman House Rule.

My topic was “DEI in the DNA: improving diversity, equity and inclusion in healthcare” and I strongly believe this is the urgent unmet need. Everyone has equal right to life and quality & timely healthcare access. Every life is equally important, life a mother of someone suffering with a disease in US or Singapore or India or Africa is equally important for their kids and warrant same accessibility, affordability and equity.
It was so great to be part of panel discussion along with amazing Jennifer Buckley (Founder and managing Director, Sweef Capital) and Deborah Seifert (Country Manager and DEI leader, Pfizer)

It was so great to meet “Clair Deevy” Global director of social impact of WhatsApp and discuss in detail regarding features to patient support groups over whatsapp vs other social media platforms.

The ‘Future of Healthcare Week Asia’ event was attended by 4,000+ to examine the vulnerabilities and opportunities that the recent crisis has catalysed. Over 3 days, policymakers, healthcare providers, academics and scientists shared practical learnings with representatives from industry, patient associations, charities and finance.

Health Ministry officials from 8 countries has also attended this event, and I got opportunity to 1:1 few of these key policy makers, leaders of WHO, world bank, IHH healthcare, USAID (US govt) etc.

For Humanity, For Love, For Hope, For Kusum,

Vivek

The Covid 19 pandemic has brought-forth unprecedented issues including encouraging drugs prescribed without enough data, detractions of publications. All suggested the lack of education, awareness and best practices on Ethics in Research…….Therefore, a Not for Profit organization “Sangath Bhopal hub” came up with a unique digital course “DRISHTi” to strengthen the Health Research Ethics in the Indian setting…….I am pleased to be part of 40 leading experts and educators who has helped develop this 10 week certification program, which will also make one eligible to become ethics committee member.

As a patient advocate, I ensured to have voice, experience and expectations of patients be included and shared during this course.

Hope it will help to create better awareness and implement best practices of Ethics in Research in India for better, quality research benefits to the patients