Lead India Oncologist Spearheads Treatment
Early detection and the right advice save lives, says Surgical Oncologist Dr Senthil Kumar.
Dr Kumar, the Lead Surgical Oncologist from MIOT International, India, is here in Fiji to spearhead the A to Z Cancer Camp which started on May 5 and would conclude on May 14.
If you think you have symptoms of cancer, or are anxious about getting a second opinion, or undergoing cancer treatment, you can benefit from this camp.
Who is he?
Dr Senthil Kumar is a well-qualified and immensely trained surgical oncologist. He has more than 10 years of experience with more than 2000 major successful cancer surgeries.
He is well trained in the management of all types of cancers like breast, gynaecology, gastrointestinal, head and neck, bone, soft tissue tumours, urological and thoracic cancers.
“I deal with all types of cancer, but I specialise in breast conservation surgery, oncoplastic procedures, sentinel node biopsies in breast and gynaec malignancies, HIPEC, minimally invasive Gastrointestinal and gynaec malignancies,” Dr Kumar said.
“Since I am a cancer surgeon, we do have an understanding of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and we will see how we fit in this surgery, chemo and radiation protocols as a treatment package together.”
Dr Kumar said it was important to detect cancer early.
“We are experts in cancer care treatment so we bring our experience and expertise to Fiji,” he said.
“We do understand there are a few hospitals and few specialists available in Fiji and that is a long wait for patients even to get tested so our presence could help Fijians with more specific opinions regarding what to do next or how to go about the disease.”
Alternative medicine
“People tend to fall into alternative medicine because they think it is the cure, but it is not true. Alternative medicine be it herbal medicine, Chinese herbs or whatever it may be; it will not work in cancer,” he said.
“It has been proven that alternative medicine does not work. People that are diagnosed with stage 1 cancer tend to take alternative medicines and they come back to us in stage three or four and it is too late to do anything.
“They miss the period of time where they can be cured of cancer by either surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. People must understand that alternative medicine will not work in cancer.”
Booking
“Patients can call MIOT Pacific Medical on 992-8692 or 892-4812 for appointment which is located at 98 Amy Street, Suva, beside Ministry of Health - Namosi House,” Dr Kumar said.
“The first day was so busy that we ran the clinic from 8am to 6pm and we were booked for the entire week and expected to see more than 100 patients.
“Whether a patient is curable in cancer or not depends on the expertise and also the facilities available and this goes hand in hand.
“The doctor may be an expert, but if he/she doesn’t have the facilities to treat, then the patients are at their loss.
“We at MIOT International have the right combination of both as we have the expertise (35-member organ specific tumour board) and also the latest technology (to provide surgical, medical and radiation therapy) which is available across the globe.
“We have it so almost all the patients we are able to offer some or the other form of treatment.”
Dr Kumar has published and presented scientific papers, posters in national and international conferences and journals.