India’s first cancer therapy unit for animals in Kharghar

KHARGHAR: Tata’s Cancer Research Institute in Kharghar unveiled a cancer therapy unit exclusively for animals recently. This is a first-of-its-kind cancer facility for animals in India.

The therapy unit is fully equipped to facilitate radiation and chemotherapy treatments as well as surgeries on cancerafflicted animals.

“We have a team of three doctors and about three to four animals can undergo surgery at the hospital each day,” said Dr Rajiv Sarin, director of Kharghar’s Tata hospital.

Ramon Magsaysay award recipient for 2008 and social worker Dr Prakash Amte inaugurated the centre on Monday.

“Animals are not inferior to human beings. Like humans, they too feel pain, joy and disappointment. Diseases like cancer are no longer restricted to human beings, it also affects animals. I’m glad such an unit has been launched for animal care,” said Dr Amte.

Generally, animals suffer from three types of cancer: those affecting bone, chest and blood. According to doctors, animals in the age group of 6 to 12 years are more likely to fall prey to cancer.

“We have treated canceraffected animals from Pune, Delhi and Mumbai. Till date, over 310 pet dogs with cancer have been treated in the hospital,” added Dr Sarin.

BACHCHAN KUMAR Ramon Magsaysay award recipient for 2008 and social worker, Dr Prakash Amte, inaugurated the centre on Monday.