Pankaj R. Patel

Biography

  The fight against cancer is one of the toughest fights one can face. Each year the count of those battling it is on the rise. Some are fortunate to have families and friends who support them. Some others grimly battle it out on their own. Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI) has been playing a stellar role as a Regional Cancer Centre giving a reassurance to patients that they are not alone. Cancer is the fastest growing disease worldwide. Each year, about 12 million people are diagnosed with cancer across the globe. In developed countries, cancer has become the leading cause of death, and in developing countries, it is second only to heart disease. Our elderly population is at high risk as it has been found that after the age of 55 years, the risk of cancer increases to 78% in developed countries as opposed to 58% in developing countries. By 2020, the global cancer burden is expected to rise by 50% owing to the increasingly elderly population. It is estimated that by 2030, the global cancer burden will nearly double, growing to 21.4 million cases and 13.2 million deaths. All this is likely to pose a challenge to the delivery of cancer care as it will increase the need for more comprehensive and accessible cancer care management. Coordinated, team-based cancer care will be essential to ensure value-based care. The increasing incidence and prevalence of cancer will place new demands on our health care systems

Research Interest

Oncology