The Cancer Institute (W.I.A) established in 1955 is an autonomous charitable comprehensive cancer centre registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. In 1975, it was declared a regional centre of cancer treatment and research for the southern region by the Government of India, the first cancer centre to be so chosen.
The Institute comprises of a Hospital, a Research Centre, the Dr. Muthulakshmi College of Oncologic Sciences and the Centre of Preventive Oncology.
The Cancer Institute is not a five star entity confined to the four walls of a polished multi storied building but is essentially a mission of service which reaches out to every nook and corner of the State.
Through all the turmoils and difficulties, the Institute's guiding principle has been the total care of the patients, whatever their social standing or economic status - to give patients access to the best state-of-art technology.
Where there was ignorance, fear and despair the Institute generated knowledge, hope and positive action. It brought to this country, a refinement of scientific technic and a quality of patient care in Oncology which was unknown before its birth. Indeed, the Cancer Institute is a symbol of man's eternal quest to conquer disease and an inspiration that reaches out to the humanity.
From 1954 to 2016, the 6 decades has been a period of accelerated expansion from a cottage hospital to a comprehensive cancer centre, comprising of a 520 bed Hospital.
== College of Oncologic Sciences ==
Dr. Muthulakshmi College of Oncological Sciences, the first college of Oncological Sciences in the country established in 1984, offers super speciality degrees D.M (Medical Oncology) and M.Ch (Surgical Oncology).
The college also offers D.M.R.T and M.D courses in Radiation Oncology. The Institute pioneered the first M.Sc. Degree in Medical Physics of the Anna University in 1981 and offers M.Phil in Psycho Oncology in 2011.
The Institute is recognised by Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University and Anna University for doctoral studies in Oncology.
== Research ==
Cancer Institute has always conceived of research as the basic foundation of clinical progress. Our mantra coined by Dr. Krishnamurthi, "Today's Research, Tomorrow's Treatment".
== Preventive Oncology ==
Cancer control activities by Cancer Institute dates back to 1961-62 when a survey of 10,775 patients attending the primary health centres in Chengelput district for any ailment was carried out analogous to opportunistic screening for cancer. This laid the foundation for the first pilot program on cancer control by the WHO in India.
Tobacco Cessation Centre was established in 2001 with the support of WHO and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The Tobacco Cessation Clinic has been helping people to fight various forms of tobacco consumption.
== Dr. V. Shanta, Chairman, Cancer Institute (W.I.A) ==
My encounter with cancer started in 1954. Over the last 6 decades, there has been a sea change in the cancer horizon. When the Institute was founded in 1954, the second specialised hospital for cancer in the country, the perception of cancer was that it was invariably fatal and incurable. The only modalities of treatment available were surgery, radical surgery wherever possible and primitive High Voltage radiotherapy. Medical Oncology was not born. The phenomenal proliferation of scientific knowledge and technology between 1960-80 and the dawn of medical oncology in 1970 saw the advent of the concept of multimodality / multidisciplinary management in Oncology. We moved from incurability to curability, from cure to quality care, from survival to healing.
Oncologic practice is perhaps one of the most difficult and complex super specialities in medicine. WHS Jones in his translation of the work of Hippocrates says, "Medicine is a difficult art and one inseperable from the highest mortality and love of humanity". The relevance of this in the context of ethical conduct and practice in medicine, especially in oncologic practice is more than real.
The modern era has witnessed and is witnessing phenomenal advances in scientific knowledge and proliferation in technology. William Osler therefore said, practice of medicine is "an art and a science". As technology advanced the balance between technology, science and art shifted towards the former and thus practice of medicine became "Science and art" and over a period of time the art component is gradually disappearing or has disappeared. William Osler at a later date said, practice of medicine is "an art, not a trade; a calling not a business". This is not doubt a reference to ethical practice.
The implications of this change in medicare scenario, especially in oncologic practice are multifold. They are reflected in the guidelines laid down by Hippocrates. Hippocrates 460-377 BC considered father of medicine laid down certain basic guidelines for medical practice, considered a model for ethical practice.
It was a era when medicine was an "art of healing".
It was an era when the physician treated by "listening" to the patient.
In the present context of increasing technology and multidisciplinary care, it will be the responsibility of the oncologist to carefully consider the following:
* How to integrate the science, art and ethical practice in oncology care
* Multidisciplinary team in oncologic care and practice
* What is comprehensive care
==Several firsts==
The Institute's first break came on December 24, 1956, when Atomic Energy, [[Canada]], gifted a cobalt-60 [[Teletherapy]] unit ([[radiation therapy]] machine). It was the first such unit in [[Asia]].
The Institute has several other firsts to its credit. They include:
*A department of [[nuclear medicine|Nuclear Medical]] [[Oncology]] in 1956;
*Paediatric oncology in 1960;
*Installing a [[linear accelerator]] in 1976;
*Introducing Blood Component Therapy in 1978;
*Introducing [[hyperthermia]] treatment in 1984;
*Installing an ND-YAG [[laser surgery|Surgical Laser]] in 1985 and performing endoscopic laser surgery;
*Intra-operative Electron Therapy is available since 1992.
*First in the country to introduce RapidArc treatment in January 2009
*First in the country to start M.Phil Psycho-oncology in August 2011
==Present facilities==
The Institute has a hospital, a research centre, a centre of preventive oncology, and a College of Oncology Sciences (a postgraduate college that conducts super-speciality courses in surgical oncology, medical oncology, oncological nursing, Medical Physics and Psycho-oncology).
Its centre for preventive oncology has been working in conjunction with non-government organisations and government hospitals to conduct cancer screening camps and [[Pap smear]] tests at the district level and in various parts of the city.
The Institute's hereditary cancer clinic, the first in the country, is studying the [[genetics|genetic]] factors related to the disease.
The '''''Tobacco Cessation Clinic''''' has been helping people to fight various forms of [[tobacco]] consumption, which is the most common cause for cancer. It is now renamed as Resource Centre for Tobacco Control (RCTC).
The Institute has 423 beds, of which 297 are free. Generally, 66% of them get free or subsidised treatment.
A satellite cancer care centre of the Adyar Cancer Institute is located at [[Pallikaranai]], which was inaugurated on February 12, 2011.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article1447883.ece Cancer Institute sets up satellite centre at Pallikaranai]</ref>
In 2012, the institute obtained Robio, an indigenously-developed robotic equipment by Chennai-based healthcare company Perfint, in order to facilitate greater precision in conducting biopsies and delivering palliative care.<ref>{{cite news
| last =
| first =
| coauthors =
| title = Now, robots to help fight cancer too
| newspaper = IBN Live South
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = Express News Service
| date = 16 February 2012
| url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/now-robots-to-help-fight-cancer-too/230632-60-120.html
| accessdate = 15 Sep 2012}}</ref>
==Recognition==
In 2005, Dr. [[V Shanta]], honorary chairperson of the Cancer Institute, was awarded the [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]].
==References==
{{Portal|Chennai|Health}}
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://cancerinstitutewia.org Cancer Institute Home Page]
* [http://www.cifwia.org/aboutus/history/history.php Cancer Institute Donor Site]
{{Chennai Topics}}
[[Category:Hospital buildings completed in 1954]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1954]]
[[Category:Cancer organizations]]
[[Category:Regional Cancer Centres in India]]
[[Category:Hospitals in Chennai]]
[[Category:Cancer hospitals]]
[[Category:1954 establishments in India]]
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