(Press Release)- Bengaluru, 02.01.23 - Aster CMI Hospital, a leading healthcare provider in the community, hosted a public gathering on February 2nd, 2023 to celebrate World Cancer Day and raise awareness about the disease. The event was held at the hospital and featured the actress Ms. Samyukta Hornad as the guest of honor. Asha Workers, NGOs, RWAs, Students, Social Workers, Women's Club were amongst the attendees. They also inaugurated the International Centre of Excellence in Robotic Surgery & Stoma Care Clinic. This event provided an opportunity for individuals to learn about cancer, the importance of early detection, and the resources available to those affected by the disease.

The public gathering was free and open to the public. It featured several guest speakers including cancer survivors, medical professionals, and advocates who shared their experiences and knowledge about the disease. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in interactive activities and engage with educational resources.

“Cancer is a global health issue that affects millions of people every year,” said Dr. Nitish Shetty, Regional Director - Aster Hospitals, Karnataka & Maharashtra, “We believe it’s our responsibility to educate and raise awareness about this disease in our community, and what better way to do that than to bring people together on World Cancer Day.”

Ms. Samyukta Hornad, Indian actress, said "Cancer is not just a physical battle, it's a mental one too. There are so many myths and misconceptions surrounding the disease, but the truth is, early self-screening, diagnosis, and proper treatment can increase the chances of a cure. Don't let fear and misinformation hold you back from taking control of your health. Your life is worth fighting for."

Speaking on the importance of cancer awareness, Prof. Dr. Somashekhar S P, Chairman - Medical Advisory Board, Aster DM Healthcare - GCC & India, Global Director - Aster International Institute of Oncology - GCC & India, Lead Consultant - Surgical & Gynaecological Oncology & Robotic Surgeon, HIPEC & PIPAC Super-specialist, Aster CMI Hospital said "Bridging the cancer care gap is one of the biggest challenges in our field. But with advancements in technology and the availability of all super specialities and expertise under one roof, we are now able to provide comprehensive and personalized care to our patients. We believe that every patient deserves access to the best possible treatment and our goal is to make that a reality. The future of cancer care is constantly evolving, and we are proud to be at the forefront of these advancements."

Commenting on the event, Dr. C N Patil, HOD and Lead Consultant - Medical Oncology & Haemato-Oncology, Aster CMI Hospital said "Chemotherapy has come a long way since its inception. In the past, it was seen as a one-size-fits-all approach to cancer treatment, but now we understand that every patient and every cancer is unique. With the advent of personalized medicine and targeted therapies, we are able to tailor treatment plans specifically for each patient, leading to improved outcomes and a better quality of life."

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Ramesh Kumar S, CEO of Aster CMI Hospital said "Today marks a significant milestone for our hospital as we launch our initiative to provide advanced treatment and care under the AIIO umbrella in the Bangalore cluster. Our goal is to support the people in this community by offering the latest in medical technology and treatments, combined with a compassionate and patient-centered approach. We are proud to be a leader in healthcare and are committed to improving the lives of those in need."

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Mumbai (PTI): A deaf and mute woman's complaint about a sexual assault that took place 16 years ago in Mumbai has unmasked a serial predator, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse and blackmail he perpetrated on several women from the community.

The accused was arrested on December 13 after the survivor broke her silence recently following the suicide attempt by one of the women he allegedly sexually harassed.

Disturbed by the suicide attempt, she confided in her friends during a video call about the assault that occurred in 2009.

According to the police, the survivor, a resident of the western suburbs, communicated in sign language during a video call with her friends and colleagues, who were part of a WhatsApp group, that the accused had drugged and raped her when she was a minor.

She also took her husband into confidence, and with support from Thane Deaf Association president Vaibhav Ghaisis, activist Mohammed Farhan Khan, sign language interpreter Madhu Keni, and a retired officer from the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities Divyangjan, the survivor approached the police.

The survivor, her husband and a few of her friends went to the Kurar police station, where her statement was recorded in camera, with Keni as interpreter, and the accused, Mahesh Pawar, was arrested a few hours later from Virar, a suburb in Palghar district.

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Recalling the trauma she endured 16 years ago, the survivor said that a female friend had invited her to explore the city in July 2009 and took her to Pawar's home in Vakola, Santacruz, an official said.

The accused allegedly offered her samosas and some beverage to celebrate the female friend's birthday. The survivor said she was forced to have the drink, which Pawar had allegedly spiked, and after a while, her friend left her alone with him.

The accused allegedly overpowered and raped her, and later blackmailed her with the recorded video of the assault.

The trauma of assault stayed with her over the years, and the attempted suicide of another woman from the community, allegedly assaulted by Pawar, propelled her to come forward.

A probe has revealed that the accused had similarly drugged and assaulted speech and hearing impaired women and threatened them into silence by blackmailing them with obscene videos, a senior police officer said.

The accused allegedly shot obscene videos of several women, using which he blackmailed them and extorted money, gold and mobile phones, he said.

He allegedly forced women into participating in nude video calls with him and recorded these to threaten them, the official said.

"As per initial investigation so far, we have evidence of his abuse of seven women, but the number can increase to more than 24," the official told PTI.

While Pawar has been remanded in judicial custody, no other woman has come forward with a complaint against him as yet, he said.

Talking to PTI, Keni said all women who have survived abuse and harassment by Pawar want to lodge a complaint against him.

She claimed that the accused had extorted money from one of the women he abused, but did not return the sum even when she needed it for a medical emergency.