GACCF – India

The goal of this project is to implement sustainable 3D-CRT trainings in the greater Mumbai area as well as increase awareness and education about mouth and cervical cancers in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

Project Overview

In partnership with Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai & Boston Scientific we are working to properly implement sustainable 3D-CRT trainings in the greater Mumbai area as well as increase awareness and education about mouth and cervical cancers in Maharashtra.

The aim of the first objective is to train and support core teams from radiation therapy departments who will be responsible for implementation and maintenance of 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) programs at their respective hospitals

The project in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra is a collaborative effort increasing awareness and education about mouth and cervical cancers in the registry area to promote early screening, offer facilities and advanced clinical staff for early diagnosis for oral cancers and develop linkages with institutions to provide early treatment of cancer. It will also help to prevent patients that commonly seek care from unlicensed and unskilled village providers and herbal medication providers to seek diagnoses and treatment from trained cancer specialists

Project Timeline: 2020 – 2024

Target Regions: Mumbai and the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra

Detailed Description:

Greater Mumbai Area:

This three-month training and mentoring program is designed to provide training for hospitals which would like to implement 3D-CRT techniques. The program starts with a 3-week course at a local hospital which addresses radiation oncologists, medical physicists and radiation therapists (RTT). In this course, participants will gain a good understanding of tools, processes and tasks which are necessary to successfully apply clinical 3D-CRT treatment techniques, including clinical treatment planning procedures. At the end of the course core teams should have a good understanding of all the elements necessary to successfully compile clinical protocols and the physics necessary to implement these 3D-CRT protocols.

During the 10 weeks post course mentorship period, participants will be supported remotely by experts from other universities to assist with the implementation of 3D-CRT treatment techniques and protocols at their respective departments.

Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra:

In partnership with Tata Memorial Hospital & Boston Scientific the project in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra is a collaborative effort increasing awareness and education about mouth and cervical cancers in the registry area to promote early screening, offer facilities and advanced clinical staff for early diagnosis for oral cancers and develop linkages with institutions to provide early treatment of cancer. It will also help to prevent patients that commonly seek care from unlicensed and unskilled village providers and herbal medication providers to seek diagnoses and treatment from trained cancer specialists.