Cancer Foundation of India – A Case Study
The Cancer Foundation of India originated in 2002 as a non-profit organization with the sole objective
of creating awareness about this medical condition and thereby contributing towards its prevention and
control. Primarily being a knowledge-based organization, it believes in dissemination of scientific
information through various research and development projects which are focused on various aspects of
cancer prevention. At the end of the day, the target audience is sufficiently educated and enlightened
about this dreaded condition so as to be able to identify its risk factors and minimize its incidence.
Although voluntary in nature, the seriousness of this organization towards its vision could never be
doubted especially in the light of the six-point program which has been outlined to accomplish its aims
and fulfill its objectives. The salient features of this program are listed as follows:
- Promoting cancer education through information related to its prevention and diagnosis, providing support to cancer patients and initiating anti-tobacco campaigns.
- Organizing meetings, seminars and symposia based on cancer research and providing training to medical and paramedical workers in screening and early detection.
- Representing national organizations and building liaisons with international organizations in a bid to campaign against the disease.
- Advocating against tobacco consumption and asserting the rights of patients, particularly survivors and their families.
- Conducting, collaborating and supporting scientific aspects related to cancer like preventive research, technological development, new drug development and cancer epidemiology.
- Encouraging rehabilitation programs and palliative care for cancer patients and bringing about their acceptance in the society. Achieving the vast spectrum of activities ranging from disbursing authentic and useful information, organizing courses and workshops and collaborating with other organizations in India as well as abroad is possible only through an efficient staff and a strong commitment towards ethics.
The organization is presided over by a management committee comprising of seven members who are elected from amongst the 27 lifelong members. This topmost rung is supposed to play a proactive role and adopt a policy of outward vision and strategic leadership to ensure success in all its operations at the ground level.
Distinct from the organizing committee is the Institutional Ethic Committee of the CFI which is concerned with voluntary research and adherence to protocol by members and workers at all levels. Some of the main aspects which come under the purview of this committee involve protection of dignity, human and social rights, safety and well being of its workers. There is another entity namely the Research Advisory committee which has been entrusted with the responsibility of evaluation of research activities and development of new and innovative programs.
According to the CFI findings, 70% of incidence of cancer in India is related to the personal lifestyle of people in terms of food habits, personal habits, social customs and traditions, reliance on tobacco and illness and infections. Through its research, the organization has also reiterated that various contemporary phenomena like urbanization, industrialization and increase in the life span of people have altered the cancer pattern not only in India but globally as well.
Breast cancer and cervical cancer being the two most common forms of this medical condition in India, the CFI has been known to concentrate its efforts towards creating awareness about these conditions particularly amongst the lower strata of society.