A clinical trial update on long term research carried out on patients with advanced gastro intestinal stromal tumours

10% of patients with advanced and aggressive GIST cancer have survived more than 10 years after treatment with one of the first successful targeted cancer drugs. They are living free of any progression of their cancer.

These are based on long-term results from a major international clinical trial of patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) a decade after first taking the targeted drug imatinib, also known as Glivec.

The Romila Palliative Care Centre was started by Dr Armida Fernandez, after she lost her daughter to cancer. While the best medical care was provided to her, she felt the softer aspects of patient care were missing. Here, she talks about her desire to fill this vacuum.

When and how did you start Romila Palliative Care?

Geetha Paniker, a breast cancer survivor, shares her views on how various forms of creating art, and even photography, can heal both the mind and the body.

Art and craft is a source of healing the mind and body. Creative pursuits can be transformed into healing arts, which, in turn, transform you.

"He who works with his hands is a laborer; He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman; He who works with his hands, head and heart is an artist." Francis of Assisi

This time in our Health by Numbers/Medical Tests series, Dr Shital Raval takes a look at the importance of Calcium levels in the metabolic panel.