| Apollo dedicates 24-hour Cancer Helpline |
 The Apollo Cancer Support Group was launched at the Apollo Specialty Hospital in Teynampet on March 8, 2004, as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations.
Every year Apollo Hospitals observes this day by organizing programmes that bring focus on women’s health related issues. This year’s focus was on ‘Women and Cancer’ - Key elements of the program include launch of The Apollo Cancer Support Group (ACSG) along with a 24-hour Cancer Helpline. As a part of the programme, the hospital also announced a 50% discount on Mammography, and a special rate for Apollo Well Woman Check for one week from 8th March 2004.
Cancer of the breast and cervix is the most common types of cancers in women and they account for almost 40% of cancer deaths in Indian women. Majority of these patients when detected are already in the secondary and tertiary stages where the cure rates are very low. It is however an established fact that early detection of cancer improves chances of survival by almost 50%.
The programme objective of Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai is two fold –
The ‘Apollo Cancer Support Group’ will provide support –psychological and emotional – to cancer patients. ACSG members include cancer survivors and people who wish to offer their services on a voluntary basis. The activities of the group will include spending quality time with patients at the hospital, reading from scriptures and religious books, counseling cancer patients and provide moral support for newly diagnosed patients.
Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “This is our first step to develop an on-going programme to spread awareness about cancer. We have always endeavoured to improve the quality of life of our patients. The launch of the Apollo Cancer Support Group is one more step in that direction and we do hope that it helps patients deal with the emotional trauma caused by this disease in a more effective way”.
The ACSG will function from the Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai and operate a 24-hour Cancer helpline. It will also serve as a centre for cancer information, organise talks and discussions by cancer specialists, telemedicine support for second opinion services from leading cancer centres in the world, networking with other cancer support groups and philanthropic organizations for financial assistance.
A website developed by Apollo Specialty Hospital will be dedicated to this programme. Individuals can log on to the website and gain information on various issues related to cancer. The hospital has also planned to have educational talks with women groups, conduct cancer advocacy workshops and spread information through articles and booklets.
Special offers from Apollo Hospitals Group on International Women’s Day:
The check-up will include:
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complete physical examination including Breast and Gynaecology examination
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random blood sugar check
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Complete Blood Count (CBC)
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Urine Analysis
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X-Ray - Chest
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Ultrasound scan of pelvis
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Pap smear test
 The Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai is one of the leading Cancer service providers and a major cancer referral centre in Asia. The cancer facilities include Radiation, Medical & Surgical Oncology. Apollo Speciality Hosptial, Chennai is one of the few centres in Asia to offer Bone Marrow Transplantation and was the first to perform Cord Blood Transplantation in India. The other services offered include IMRT, Stereotactic Radio Surgery (SRS) / Stereotactic Radio Therapy (SRT), BrachyTherapy and so on.
The Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai treats a lot of international patients every year and the patient flow is from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman and other countries including from Europe and USA.
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