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By C. Maya
Dr. Soo Khee Chee
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN. 23. The National Cancer Centre, Singapore, has proposed a partnership with the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) here in the areas of clinical trials and basic laboratory research. Both centres could also cooperate in offering exchange programmes in training and research and in creating a common data base, Soo Khee Chee, Director of National Cancer Centre (NCC), who is here on a visit to the RCC told The Hindu . "We are always looking to the West for research and expertise, but the cancers commonly seen in the Asia-Pacific region are quite different from the ones in the West. We have excellent cancer research centres in the region, including RCC, and the networking of these organisations could be productive," Dr. Soo Khee Chee, who is also the Director of the Research Council, Singapore Health Services, said.
Protocol for treatment
The details of the proposal are being worked out. "I am also discussing with RCC a protocol for the treatment of head and neck cancers. Reconstructive procedures are now part of the treatment of this type of cancers. This is another area where we can work together, as at least 1,000 cases of head and neck surgeries are performed by RCC every year," he added. A specialist in head and neck surgery, Dr. Soo Khee Chee is also an expert in micro vascular reconstructive procedures after cancer surgery. Reconstruction of tissues after cancer surgery is an area where there has been many qualitative changes. Apart from the cosmetic aspect, surgeons can now ensure that the reconstructed parts function normally. NCC is the Government-funded Central research institute in Singapore, which offers multidisciplinary and holistic treatment of cancer, apart from wide-ranging clinical research and training programmes for medical oncologists. The institute is frequented by patients from South-east Asian nations and the Middle East Early detection and prevention of cancers is a part of public health programmes in Singapore. The nation has a high incidence of cancer with about one in three persons falling prey to the disease. The profile of the disease is similar across Asia, with lung, colo-rectal and stomach cancers being the commonest among men, while cancers of the breast, colo-rectal and cervix are the commonest among women. Men in Singapore have been smoking less because of strong anti-tobacco laws. Interestingly, more women are taking to smoking. "Apart from considering it fashionable to smoke, women also say that it helps them maintain their diets by reducing the food intake. Singapore has now launched a major public health initiative to persuade women to quit smoking," Dr. Soo Khee Chee said.
Biophotonics
NCC, Singapore, is now engaged in extensive research in biophotonics and its applications in cancer detection and therapy. Biophotonics is the technology of using a combination of light and chemical dyes to diagnose diseases. Photodynamic therapy is one of the applications in this area, wherein a photo active dye is applied on to tumours. When light is focussed on the tumour, the dye gets activated, destroying the cancerous cells. "Right now, we are working on combining gene therapy and biophotonics. We are trying to isolate the gene, `luciferin' that makes fireflies emit a natural glow and transfer it on to tumour. When a chemical dye is applied to the tumour, the tissues will glow on its own and the cancerous cells will be destroyed. This would be especially beneficial for treating inaccessible tumours," Dr. Soo Khee Chee said.
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