Punjab Cancer train a lifeline for stricken patients

[P.J.]

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This Abohar-Jodhpur passenger train popularly known as Cancer Train has come out as a lifeline for many cancer patients. Beginning its journey from Abohar at 7:40 pm, the train passes through Pakki, Malout, Gidderbaha, Bathinda, Ramanal, Gursar Shnewala, Sangat Mandi, Bagwali, and Mandi Dabhwali in Punjab’s cotton belt before it enters Haryana and arrives in Rajasthan.

This Cancer Train is not a symbol of richness in terms of money as it has no airconditioned coach but shows the richness in terms of humanity as is carrying at least 60 patients suffering from this deadly disease from Punjab to Rajasthan on the daily basis in its single sleeper class bogey.

The factor that is motivating the people to go all the way to dusty town to get treated in Rajasthan is the much cheaper and better treatment provided by the hospital in Bikaner funded by the central government as compared to some private hospitals in Punjab. This was told by the people themselves who were on this train.

Whether we will talk about Sukhjit who was not even being able to stand on his feet and complained of severe joint pains and intermittent fever has now almost recovered from the disease or if we will discuss the story of Inderjit Kaur who got her treatment done for breast cancer at a very nominal cost. This has become possible because of this special train service started by the government for patients suffering from cancer.


Like them, there are thousands of other cancer patients from this primarily agrarian state Punjab for whom this Cancer Train has helped them in getting their lives back to normal. The journey in this train for one dark night is bringing the rays of hope and bright life to many people specially those who were not being able to get the correct treatment because of not so sound financial condition.

This Cancer train is truly proving itself as a blessing for a large number of patients and their families who were and are suffering from this dreadful disease.


Punjab Cancer train a lifeline for stricken patients

Punjab Foundation

 

[prasad1]

Wow PJji,
The title does not do justice to the article. The article is heart wrenching story of cancer patients, and unequal cost of treating a sickness in two areas of India. I admire your diligence in bringing great stories to our attention. Thanks.

 

[vsubbu48]

Cancer is a terrible disease and when it afflicts a poor person it is a double whammy. Apart from the pain and suffering, the very cost of treatment can bring down even a middle class person to his knees. But recently I read an article by a cancer specialist that a person can survive cancer for five years whether treatment is given or not. In fact he has says that cancer treatments are useless and it is enough if the patients' pain is managed.

 

[prasad1]

Cancer is a terrible disease and when it afflicts a poor person it is a double whammy. Apart from the pain and suffering, the very cost of treatment can bring down even a middle class person to his knees. But recently I read an article by a cancer specialist that a person can survive cancer for five years whether treatment is given or not. In fact he has says that cancer treatments are useless and it is enough if the patients' pain is managed.

Sir,
A single Dr. Munnabhai's misguided opinion is dangerous. Or may be he got an honorary doctorate degree.
Cancer Treatment - National Cancer Institute
For Instance My friend had stomach Cancer 10 years ago, and is now after treatment he is pain and cancer free.

Early detection is a key component in the successful treatment of stomach cancer. According to the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, stage one stomach cancer is characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the stomach lining, but not in the gastric wall or in the surrounding lymph nodes. Patients who are diagnosed with stage two stomach cancers do have cancer cells growing in the stomach wall, but the cancer has not metastasized outside of the stomach. These two stages of stomach cancer are the most treatable. When cancer cells have spread outside the stomach, the condition has moved to stage three and in stage four, these cells have reached other organs. Stage one and two stomach cancers have a higher rate of cure than stages three and four.

Is Stomach Cancer Curable? | eHow

Making ill advised statement just goes to show how little we know.

 

[P.J.]

Cancer is a terrible disease and when it afflicts a poor person it is a double whammy. Apart from the pain and suffering, the very cost of treatment can bring down even a middle class person to his knees. But recently I read an article by a cancer specialist that a person can survive cancer for five years whether treatment is given or not. In fact he has says that cancer treatments are useless and it is enough if the patients' pain is managed.

vsubbu Sir

Yes, you are right, cancer patients in most cases would not survive unless it is detected at very early stage; however, pain killers can be given to them to bear the pain which at times might be very severe.