How Disha is Touching the Lives of Survivours

Initial visit to DISHA clinic includes

• Reviewing the cancer diagnosis and treatment and conducting a physical exam to assess the needs
• Identifying needs and creating strategies to help cope with physical, emotional, social and financial needs
• Assessing the risk of other cancers and, if needed, referral to cancer screening services
• Recommending ways to improve patient’s health through nutrition, exercise, weight management and quitting smoking
• Creating a personalized follow-up care program
• Consulting with the treating doctors as and when needed

Cancer survivors may find themselves in the perplexed state of mind after completion of their cancer treatment.While they are excited about the completion of their cancer treatment and happy about being cancer free, they may also carry the fear of cancer recurrence or simply put, the fear of cancer coming back & same can add to their stress, worry and anxiety. Some of them find it difficult to accept the fact that they will have to live with it, despite the best of the treatment, as it can not be completely cured. Such patients will have to keep taking CT, oral targeted therapy or other forms of treatments at regular intervals to keep the cancer under control.

Cancer survivors are informed & advised some routine diagnostic tests during the follow up. The objectives of such a close follow-up are as under:

• Monitor the overall health of the patient
• Monitor the occurrence of long term side effects of the cancer treatment if any
• Monitor the adequate functioning of vital body organs, like heart, kidney, liver, lungs etc
• Look for new symptoms in patients suggestive of any secondary health issue or cancer recurrence.

Cancer survivors are expected to proactively report new symptoms or other health issues that they may be facing after the treatment so that those can be addresses or treated on priority.

It is in the best interest of patient to have a survivorship care plan which includes following:

• A schedule of follow up visits
• A schedule for routine tests and examinations
• A list of probable or expected short term and long side effects of cancer treatment
• What to look for and the possible remedies for such side effects if they arise
• Things to do to lower the risk of cancer recurrence and improving health and quality of life
• Preserving and keeping handy records of the medical history,treatment, insurance papers etc is equally importance.
• The entire history of the disease and the treatment of the patients in a chronological order should be available to the patient and doctor all the time.   

Remember, consciously keeping a close follow up with cancer, DISHA team is always available to help you and assist you in leading a happy life.

DISHA -Touching lives of survivors 

Follow up Support	Facilitating Mastectomy Kits/ Mastectomy Bras/ Prosthesis/ Hair Switch (Wig)
Counselling	Financial Assistance
Social & Psychological well being	Palliative Care

Follow up Support

DISHA acts as a Single Point of Contact for the patients.

As DISHA keeps a record of patient’s cancer treatment history, as well as any checkups and   discusses about the importance of followups and possible long-term effects of the treatment.

DISHA tries to brief patients about short and long term side effects of the treatment. Following the treatment completion, patients are educated about what actions must be taken, and when to seek follow up medical care. Patients feel self reliant in handling their post treatment period with support of DISHA.

Facilitating Mastectomy Kits/ Mastectomy Bras/ Prosthesis/ Hair Switch (Wigs)

As a humble gesture by DISHA for the patients undergoing mastectomy, free Breast kits are given which we feel is tangible expression of hope and thus providing comfort & encouragement to women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Mastectomy Bras and prosthesis are also made available for the patients.

Patients stay in follow up care with DISHA post MRM surgery. Post MRM, there is likelihood of developing lymphedema which tends to develop slowly and if left untreated can progress over time, causing discomfort and restricted ROM. Patient’s both upper limb measurements are recorded on followup and if required, timely action is taken to control the situation by guiding them to meet the treating surgeon and physiotherapist.

Counselling

Patients registered with DISHA clinic are assessed for their needs. After identifying the patients need, a plan of action is made so that patients can cope with such needs.

Financial Assistance

Knowing the fact that cancer treatment and care related expenses are associated with psychological distress and subjective ill-being. Some patients find it difficult to continue their on-going treatment, and forces them to stop the on- going treatment. DISHA approaches such patients and provides assistance in by counseling and help them to apply for funds for governement and NGO's. These funds help the patient to continue and complte the treatment.

Highlights:

Total patients enrolled with DISHA-688

Touching the lives of survivors by way of staying in touch with them and providing support on the following

Do's & Don’ts post MRM Surgery

• Guidance to prevent lymph edema
• Dietary guidance
• Maintaining long term follow up with patients
• Provide psycholgical counselling
• Palliative care support

Social Well-being

• A whatsapp group (DISHA) has been created to help women overcome their fear of the disease and assists them to cope with the difficult treatment. Group members help patients overcome the emotional and physical trauma, by sharing their experiences. 
• An annual program “Roobarao” is the platform to bring survivors together to participate, share their stories, sing a song and perform or act. The idea basically is to help survivors manage their emotional and social well being.