The Nawaloka Cancer Centre aims for the next frontier in the fight against cancer
The pioneering private healthcare provider Nawaloka Hospitals, underscored the need to adopt comprehensive, multidisciplinary care, world-class diagnostic facilities and personalized treatment to address the growing national need to take the fight against cancer to the next level. In this context, the new Nawaloka Cancer Centre brings together a team of skilled and experienced Oncologists, Physicians, Surgeons, Haematologists, laboratory and nursing staff, along with state-of-the-art facilities to provide comprehensive cancer care under one roof.
Dr Sanjay De Mel, Specialist Clinical Haematologist at Nawaloka Hospitals said, “We aim to provide patients in Sri Lanka the option of receiving world class treatment for blood disease and cancer at an affordable price. Accordingly, we have combined our haematology and oncology teams to form a strong base of experts who will offer patients holistic cancer treatment based on the latest medical advances.”
According to available data published by the National Cancer Control programme of Sri Lanka, the lifetime risk of developing any type of cancer (calculated for 0-74 years) in Sri Lanka’s general population was one in every ten persons for both men and women, while one in every 40 women runs the risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime. One in every 42 males runs the risk of developing cancer of the lip, oral cavity or the pharynx.
The benchmark for the best possible care for cancer patients requires a multi-disciplinary team that works together to provide a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and individual compassionate counselling. Generally, cancer treatment depends on the type and the stage of the cancer, estimated side effects and the patient’s medical history. The entire team needs to work together to ensure the best outcome for the patient. The Nawaloka Cancer Centre provides regular specialized training to all its staff including the laboratory and nursing staff to maintain a high quality of service at all times.
“When treating patients with cancer it is crucial to consider the emotional and psychological impact of this disease on the patient and family. Every patient is an individual, with unique concerns and expectations, we always take this aspect into consideration when we decide on treatment plans for our patients,” commented Dr Dehan Gunasekera, Consultant in Medical and Radiation Oncology. The multidisciplinary cancer care team also provides counselling to help patients cope with their illness and ease the way towards recovery.
Dr Sanjay de Mel and Dr Dehan Gunasekera reiterated that in the context where major advances are being made every year in the fields of haematology and oncology, Nawaloka Hospitals endeavour to provide patients in Sri Lanka with the latest diagnostic and treatment modalities available.
The Nawaloka Cancer Centre is set to take cancer care to the next frontier and redefine clinical benchmarks and outcomes as a special innovation in private sector health care provision in Sri Lanka.
