This conference held in Mumbai on February 6, 2016 was endorsed by the Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India. Mr.Jitendra Sharma, Joint Secretary and Dr. D.C.Katoch, Advisor, Ministry of Ayush, provided the leadership for organizing the meeting. All the different directorates under Ayush were involved and the directors participated. Eminent doctors of all the disciplines and prominent cancer researchers made presentations. Dr.Milind Antani, LSW Advisory Board Member was the Moderator for the entire proceedings.

The Conference was opened by S.G.B. Rao, Publisher, LSW, Sankar Iyer, Editor, LSW introduced the distinguished speakers from the Ministry of AYUSH. The opening remarks were given by Dr.S.G.A.Rao, LSW Advisory Board member and Cancer Research Scientist. He focused on the need to approach cancer therapy in a holistic manner. The futility of treating cancer patients using a single modality such as chemotherapy was well illustrated by two cases presented by him. He advocated an integrated approach involving different systems of medicine to achieve health. He was of the opinion that eradication of disease is not the primary objective, but it is restoration of health.

Dr. Katoch, gave a detailed account of the various ayurvedic preparation available for treating cancer. He also described the contributions made by several Ayush institutions carrying out research and their contributions. His presentation was remarkable for being comprehensive and up-to-date. He described in detail the efforts put by the Ministry of Ayush in *modernizing the approach of Ayush institutions towards cancer therapies

Dr. K M Madhu, Sr. Physician, Clinical Research Department, Arya Vaidyasala, Kottaikal

The Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal was represented by Dr. Madhu, Sr. Physician at the Clinical Research Department. He gave an excellent exposition of the Ayurvedic view of Cancer and described the various formulations available for its treatment.

Dr. G Sivaraman, Chief siddha physician, Arogya Siddha Hospital, Chennai

Dr. Sivaraman, is the chief Siddha physician at the Arogya Siddha Hospital, Chennai. He gave a lucid talk on the medicine available in Siddha System for the treatment of Cancer. He made a significant point when he informed the participants that, in Western countries such as United States of America and China, an integrated approach involving traditional systems of medicine and modern system were already prevalent for treatment of cancer.

Dr. Govind Reddy, Research Officer, Podar Ayurveda Cancer Research Institute, Mumbai

Dr. Govind Reddy, Research Officer, Podar Ayuveda Cancer Research Institute, Mumbai gave a comprehensive report on the various research programs on cancer at the Institute.

Dr. Khalid M. Siddiqui, Dy. Director General of Central Council for Research in Unani

Dr. Khalid Mahmood Siddiqui, Dy. Director General of Central Council for Research in Unani in his talk, detailed the research on cancer being carried out in various Unani laboratories. He stressed the fact that in Unani system it was important to restore health.

Dr. Kumar Prabhash, Asst Professor of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai

Dr. Kumar Prabhash, Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai gave an informative presentation on the evidenced based medicine for treatment of cancers. He stressed on clinical trials in the discovery process. When he was asked why he did not use an integrative approach, he made it clear that for him to use medicine from non conventional systems, there should be evidence which stands scientific scrutiny. Such evidence is possible only when controlled clinical trials are carried out and the results are subjected to statistical analysis.

Dr.Nisha Manikantan, Founder Director Sri Sri Ayurveda & Head, Cancer Care Department

Dr. Nisha Manikantan, Founder Director Sri Sri Ayurveda and head of Cancer Care Department gave an interesting and illuminating discourse on the yoga in cancer. She explained that ‘Sudershana Kriya’ is powerful means of restoring health which led to cancer cure. She recounted several cases to illustrate this point. She went on to state that, even in cases where cancer could not be cured, the quality of life was substantial.

Dr. Jyothsna Rao, Research Director, International Stem cell Services Ltd, Benagaluru

Dr. Jyothsna Rao, Research Director, International Stem Cell Services Ltd., Bengaluru, gave a clear disposition on the immune status in Cancer. She explained the mechanisms by which cancer cells escape immune surveillance and established itself in the body of the patient and then spread to different sites. She explained the various forms of immunity which play a part in cancer. She then explained that there was enough evidence to show that surgery, radiation and chemotherapy which are the three main modalities for the treatment of cancer always resulted in substantial immunosupression. She then described methods for boosting specific and non specific immunity.

Dr. Deepali Rao, Clinical Psychologist, VIMHANS, Delhi

Dr. Deepali Rao, Clinical Psychologist, practicing in VIMHANS, made a very lucid presentation on the various psychological aspects which affect Cancer patients. The most asked question is, ‘Why me’. The feeling of ‘Victimhood’ is very strong in these patients, leading to severe depression. In addition several cancers are known to secrete cortisols which depress immunity and cause mental depression. Another prominent psychological trauma is caused by disfigurement due to chemotherapy or surgery. These patients need constant counseling and family support to preserve a good quality of life.

Dr. Roma Antani and Dr. Anwar Amir Ansari, practicing Homeopaths, Mumbai

Dr. Roma Antani and Dr. Anwar Amir Ansari, practicing homeopathic doctors from Mumbai, gave excellent presentations to explain the importance of restoring health rather than merely eradicating the disease. They described several cases where cancer patients were cured by Homoeopathic remedies.

Dr. Zubin Phiroze Marolia, Practicing Homeopath, Mumbai on Mistletoe-An integrative Immunological Therapy

Dr. Zubin Marolia, a practicing Homoeopath from Mumbai, gave a presentation on the Homoeopathic use of a semi parasitic plant, viz. Loranthus, commonly known as Mistletoe in the treatment of cancer.

Mrs. Malathi A Rao, Reiki Grandmaster & Emotional Freedom Technique expert and daughter on energy points

Mrs. Malathi Rao, a Reiki Grand Master and Emotional Freedom technique expert practicing in Hyderabad, gave a lucid presentation assisted by her daughter, who very ably gave a demonstration of the energy points in the human body. Mrs. Malati explained that disease was nothing but disturbance in the energy field, which when corrected resulted in restoration of health and cure from disease. She frankly admitted that she is unable to provide scientific explanation for the cures and would be glad collaborate with scientific experts for finding the scientific reasons.

Shri Virendra Kumar Jain, Indore on cow urine Therapy Panel Discussion on the presentations

Shri Virendra Kumar Jain, from Indore made an excellent exposition on the use of cow urine as a therapy for treating several diseases including cancer. He claimed that in his centre many hopeless cases including that of his mother had been cured completely.

The presentations were followed by a panel discussion Chaired by Shri Jitendra Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush - distinguished panelists being the Director Generals of the 4 Central Council of Research streams, viz., Prof. Vaidya. K.S.Dhiman, Prof. Ishwara N Acharya, Prof. Ishwara Acharya, Yoga and Naturopathy, Dr. Rais Ur Rahman, Unani, Prof. R.S. Ramaswamy, Siddha, and Dr. Praveen Oberoi, Scientist,Central Council of Research, Homeopathy along with Shri Virendra KumarJain.

At the outset, Shri Sharma, invited questions from the audience. In response, he was asked whether Ayush had any plans of bringing together a multi specialty group consisting of conventional therapist and others to evolve a holistic approach to Cancer Therapy. In reply, Shri Sharma was candid in accepting the difficulty of getting such group together. He however, promised to do his best.

Prof. Dhiman, Shri. Jitendra Sharma and Dr. Acharya

Following this discussion the panelists made their presentation, which described the progress made by each Directorate. The meeting concluded with vote of thanks proposed by Dr.Milind Antani.

Photos from the conference “Holistic Approach to Cancer–an integrated Therapy”

View of the speakers and participants

Interactions between the audience and the panel and speakers

Interaction between the speakers and the distinguished panel from AYUSH

Audience and speakers interact with the distinguished panel from AYUSH

View of audience and their interaction with the speakers

View of Audience listening to the presentations of various speakers at the conference

Distinguished Guests from AYUSH and participants at the Luncheon

Dr. S.G.A. Rao handing over mementoes to Dr. D.C. Katoch & Shri. Jitendar Sharma from AYUSH

Dr. S.G.A. Rao, handing over mementoes to Dr. K.M. Madhu and Dr.G. Sivaraman

Dr. S.G.A. Rao handing over mementoes to Dr.Govindareddy and Dr. Nisha Manikantan

Dr. Milind Antani handing over mementoes to Dr. Jyotsna Rao and Dr. Deepali Rao

Dr. Milind Antani handing over mementoes to Dr. Roma Antani and Dr.Anwar Amir Ansari

Dr. Milind Antani handing over mementoes to Shri. Virender Kumar Jain and Mrs, Malathi Rao

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