An Interview With The Lady Behind The Free Spirits
Dr Arpita Bhattacharyya
Senior Consultant, Department of Paediatric
Haematology and Oncology
Tata Memorial Centre, Kolkata
What inspired you to take up paediatric oncology?
I had my initial paediatric training at Medical College, Calcutta, where we saw many children with cancer. Almost all of them died because we had no guidance about how to treat them. By then, I was reading how the outcome of childhood cancer had taken great leaps in developed countries and thought that perhaps some day, our children could have that kind of treatment too.
Why do you think this branch of oncology has been neglected?
I don’t think ‘neglected’ is quite the correct term because some of the first breakthroughs in cancer treatment were made in children. In Low and Low Middle Income Countries (LMICs) like ours, advocacy plays a key role. It is only in recent years that this has been given a boost.
If a child has a cancer-affected parent, does he/she have chances of being affected too? Is this genetic?
There are familial cancers; a not so rare one is retinoblastoma, a cancer of the eye which can run in families. There are a few other familial cancer-predisposing conditions, but most childhood cancers are sporadic.
In a country where girls are not always welcomed, how do you cope with treating cancer amongst the girl child? What sort of awareness programmes would you like to undertake?
Gender discrimination is an unfortunate legacy we suffer from. I guess we need to focus on overall improvement in the attitude towards the girl child and not cancer in girls alone.
Why is the infrastructure and resources catering to their treatment limited? Do you think this lacks government initiative and individual involvement?
Cancer treatment is expensive and it is only in the last few decades that both government and private health sectors are beginning to realise the magnitude of the problem. A lot of progress has been made in the last two decades and things are certainly getting better. Childhood cancer is beginning to get the attention it deserves.
What sort of facilities does your institute provide?
Our centre provides all-round facilities for diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer.
What has been the contribution of the Tata institute, Kolkata, in the treatment of paediatric oncology?
I feel Tata Medical Centre has firmly put Eastern India on the world map for treatment of childhood cancers. Families no longer need to go beyond the region to other states for treatment.
What documents are needed for a patient staying outside India to seek treatment? Whom should they contact?
Families need a valid medical visa. It is most helpful if all previous investigation and treatment documents are available; for appointments contact: info@tmckolkata.com.
