Publications by authors named "Lakshman Sethuraman"
Measurement of cancer stigma in India: challenges and opportunities.
Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia
May 2024
This paper outlines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer services in the UK including screening, symptomatic diagnosis, treatment pathways and projections on clinical outcomes as a result of these care disruptions. A restoration of cancer services to pre-pandemic levels is not likely to mitigate this adverse impact, particularly with an ageing population and increased cancer burden. New cancer cases are projected to rise to over 500,000 per year by 2035, with over 4 million people living with and beyond cancer.
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- Areca nut is the fourth most commonly used psychoactive substance globally, valued in India for its cultural significance as well as a mouth freshener, and it is associated with addictive properties.
- A study in Guwahati, Assam involved 479 participants, focusing on their consumption patterns, knowledge, attitudes, and dependency related to areca nut, showing a high response rate among mostly male, educated, and self-employed individuals.
- Results indicated that the majority of participants found pleasure and stress relief in areca nut use, with over 80% believing it to be highly addictive, yet only 18% had attempted to quit, highlighting significant withdrawal symptoms and dependency issues.
Background: Cancer patients in the North East Region (NER) of India have poorer survival rates compared with the rest of India. This is due to late stage at presentation related to poor awareness, risk factors such as use of tobacco, alcohol consumption and less physical activity, This study aims to determine the association between socio-demographic characters and use of tobacco, alcohol consumption and physical activity among people in the NER.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1400 participants was conducted across Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya in the NER.
Background: Cancer patients' experience is dependent on the complex interaction between the patient, carer, healthcare practitioners and healthcare system. The aim of the study was to assess the experience of cancer patients in Assam in order to identify potential areas for improvement in delivering high quality cancer care.
Methods: A cross sectional patient experience survey was conducted in 400 patients using structured interviews and pre-tested questionnaires that collected patient-reported outcomes including access to cancer care, experience while availing cancer services across the pathway, waiting times, communication and counselling support, out-of-pocket expenditure and advice regarding available insurance schemes and financial support.
Background: Adolescence is an influential stage in students' lives when lifelong behaviours such as tobacco use are formed. During these years, school teachers are important role models for tobacco control among students. A study was conducted among school personnel and administrators to understand the key drivers for implementing an evidence-based school tobacco control program.
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- - The text discusses the urgent need for improved palliative care in low- and middle-income countries, especially in regions like Northeast India, where cancer significantly contributes to serious health-related suffering.
- - The project in Assam aimed to enhance palliative care by following the WHO framework, focusing on collaboration with government and private sectors to create supportive policies, provide education, and ensure drug availability.
- - The outcomes of this initiative show the effectiveness of integrating palliative care with cancer treatment from the beginning, highlighting the sustainability of these programs within public healthcare systems, which could serve as a model for similar regions globally.
Article Synopsis
- Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable deaths globally, and India has laws like COTPA 2003 to control it, but enforcement is weak.
- A study observed 307 schools and colleges in 5 states in India and found that about 85% violated smoking bans in public areas (Section 4) and 69% violated restrictions on selling tobacco near schools (Section 6b).
- To improve adherence to tobacco control laws, a collaborative approach involving police, schools, and the community is necessary, promoting a Tobacco-Free environment around educational institutions.
Purpose: The burden of cancer is increasing globally, with poor outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality in patients, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Lack of awareness of the risk factors, symptoms, and signs of common cancers in addition to inadequate cancer prevention programs at the community level are a major hindrance to the early detection of cancer.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the North East Region (NER) of India, with a sample population of 1,400 participants from Assam (n = 1,000), Meghalaya (n = 200), and Nagaland (n = 200).