We get 40,000 cases a year
Rahat Bano interviews Dr Rajendra Badwe, director, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
Why should a student consider specialising in oncology?
There are two primary reasons. One, there’s a need for oncologists. The incidence of cancer is rising and the incidence of curable 
cancers is rising, too. Ten years ago, there were 15 breast cancer cases per one lakh women in metropolitan India. Today, it’s about 30 per lakh. And a 100-per cent increase is expected in the next 10 years. However, compared to the US and UK, the absolute numbers will still be lower in India.
The second reason is the short supply of oncologists (in all three branches – medical, surgical and radiation). There’s a larger shortage particularly of surgical oncologists. It’s a tremendous scarcity. India produces about 15 surgical oncologists every year whereas there’s need for at least three times more.
The Medical Council of India is soon going to double or triple the student intake but the students will come out about five years later.
At our centre, we receive, on average, a minimum of 250 applications for two seats (to be increased to 10 in June) in surgical oncology every year. In radiation oncology, for which we offer five-six seats, the number of applications would be close to a hundred. It’s the same in medical oncology. But seats will be increased this year. The demand is, one, because of the need in this field and second, due to the popularity of the institute.
What's been the rise in the patient inflow at your hospital in the past 20 years?
We get about 40,000 patients per year now. About 20 years ago, it was 20,000 a year.
Which are the most common cancers, in order of prevalence, in India?
Tobacco-related cancers (of the lungs, oral cavity, voice box, oesophagus, and so on) account for about 50 per cent of all cancers among men in India. In both men and women, breast, uterine, and tobacco-related cancers constitute about 65 per cent of all cancer cases. Given the numbers, anti-tobacco drive and regular screening are very much needed. Cases of cervical cancers have declined (due to family planning, barrier contraceptives and better hygiene among men) while those of breast cancer have gone up because of family planning, fewer children per woman, having the first child late, and obesity.
What skills and traits are the most crucial pre-requisites for an aspiring oncologist?
Huge effort and immense dedication and least material needs. It’s not that the doctor should be poor. One should have a finite appetite. As a doctor, my objective should be zero disease and not diseased individuals.
Who should get into oncology?
If you are tuned to work for people, then take it up.
Author: HT Horizons
Date: 6th April, 2010
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