On the visit to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore, Muhammad Fareed, Publisher & Managing Editor, Medical Review interviewed Prof. Naeem Naqi, Clinical Oncologists, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore. Following are the excerpts of the Interview.
Q1 – Please tell us something about yourself.
Ans – I did my graduation from Army Medical College in 1983. In Military in my early career, I got the promotion. I got specialized in the field of Medicine in 1990. I have the passion in Oncology that is why I entered in Oncology field in 1992. I got Oncology training from UK and USA. When I returned, I joined Combined Military Hospital as a Consultant Oncologist. In 2001, I have been working in Oncology. Since 10 years, I am practicing Oncology here. I have approved a Oncology Centre in Combined Military Hospital in from the PMDC.
Q3 – What are the different cancers you encounter and which are more prevalent.
Ans – In Pakistan, we don’t have exact data which categorize the most common cancer. Due to the change in life style, in Karachi, mouth cancer is very common due to the use of belenut, supari and tobacco. In Islamabad, breast cancer in females and lung cancer in male are very common.
Q4 – What is the incidence of Breast Cancer. What is the level of treatment of Cancer and Breast Cancer. What further facilities are needed to improve treatment.
Ans – The institutional data are often reliable. Institutional data do not exactly tell you the total community statistics. There is no registry program in Pakistan. We cannot say that Institutional data is the country data. When Institutional data is presented on international level, people do prefer it. There is need to run registry program in order to know the incidence of cancers.
Q4 – What is the level of treatment of cancer and breast cancer. What further facilities are needed to improve treatment.
Ans – We are very fortunate. There is no issue in the level of treatment of cancer in Pakistan. During few decades, we have seen poor patients who are unable to afford the treatment, then we refer them to Bait-ul-Mall and some other welfare organization to get help. They are always ready to support them.
Q5 – What is the role of Pharma companies in creating awareness.
Ans – Pharma companies are doing a commendable work. Now-a-days, many companies have started awareness campaign including Advertisement program on electronic medical and awareness walks. Ministry of Health should give them a free hand to raise awareness. We have seen significant improvement. They should focus in rural areas more.
Q6 – Have awareness been introduced among women for breast cancer.
Ans – Unfortunately in Pakistan, many oncologists are male. Due to social taboo, male oncologists are unable to raise awareness about breast cancer in women. Women oncologists or lady health workers will do much better in raising awareness among women for breast cancer. There is need to assign lady health workers in this campaign. This task shall be useful.
Q7 – How is Hormonal Therapy effective in Breast Cancer.
Ans – Hormonal Therapy is very effective in breast cancer, but only in women with hormone dependent breast cancers. The preference is given when the patient is receptor positive. If the patient is having cancer at advance stage then we rather start Hormonal therapy after completion of Chemo Therapy.
Q8 – The GPs have the role of referring cases to cancer hospitals when patients come to them. It is general impression that they do not effectively follow this practice. Do you agree and what can we do about it.
Ans – This is the main problem. The role of family physician is very important. It is necessary for GPs to refer the cases to cancer hospitals. GPs should realise that they should refer the patient in time. Delay in treatment makes the cancer more advance. PMDC should form a committee and action be taken for those responsible for this delay.
Q9 – Are the students in medical colleges getting sufficient teaching in the subject of Oncology. If not then what do you suggest in improving the teaching standard.
Ans – Due to this situation in our country, students in medical colleges are not getting sufficient teaching in the subject of Oncology. There is need to modify the curriculum.
Q10 – Anything you wish to add.
Ans – I would only say that, doctors should follow the ethics which is very important.