According to statistics, the estimated number of people living with cancer is 2.25 million, with more than 7 lakh of them have died due to the disease in 2018. To bridge the gap between allopathic and alternate care for cancer, Samara Mahindra, a bright entrepreneur, driven by a personal encounter with cancer, came up with the idea of Carer. In a tete-a-tete with HE, Samara, CEO and Founder, Carer talks integrative oncology and more.

1) Tell us how the idea of Carer was born.

The reason I dived into oncology is because of a personal endeavour. I lost my mother to cancer in 2010. Though she was exposed to the best medical care, there was a significant gap in terms of providing holistic care to a patient. I realised that despite excellent medical care, her immunity was low, her mental and psychological state of mind was compromised and her overall quality of life was affected to a large extent, which in return was affecting her treatment outcome.

Cancer affects the patient and the family members, and there's a lack of information or comprehensive solutions that educate and support people involved in a cancer diagnosis. The focus is predominantly on treatment, which is one piece of the puzzle.

The focus of Carer is on working alongside the conventional form of treatment. We use a holistic, patient-centric approach for cancer treatment, which has proven effective in addressing the patient's physical and emotional needs at all stages of treatment. Carer's Integrative Therapy and Treatment focuses on three primary aspects of the patient's condition – ensure a decrease in side effects, manage the treatment better, and improve immunity and quality of life. It is recommended to patients during their treatment phase and continues till recovery and remission.

2) What is integrative oncology – how does it help those battling cancer? Do you have any studies that back how it can help?

Integrative Oncology uses non-clinical therapies along with clinical therapies to improve the patient outcome and quality of life of a patient who's going through treatment and also in the post-treatment phase. Top cancer hospitals and medical facilities around the world integrate the concept of lifestyle management and integrative oncology.

To learn more about integrative oncology, I moved to the US and received certifications as a cancer exercise specialist, Breast Cancer recovery trainer and holistic cancer coach. I met the founder of the Integrative Oncology Unit in Memorial Sloan Kettering, which is one of the best cancer hospitals in the world. Soon after, I decided that I wanted to move back to India and start something similar. Once I moved here, I got a chance to understand the depth of Oncology in India through an observership in TATA. After months of research, I started building the foundation of Carer and the concepts of Integrative Oncology. The Carer Protocol was launched about a year ago.

3) What kind of research did you do to come up with protocols for patients?

Samara Mahindra with Dr Gary Deng, Medical Advisor to Carer

While we worked on the fundamentals of integrative oncology, which is universal, it is was imperative to build a solution that fits the Indian healthcare system. This entailed working directly with multiple patients on-ground, refining the process, trial and testing and partnering closely with oncologists, therapists and research specialists to do the same. Personalisation takes place due to the one-on-one dedicated resources and sessions we provide to patients. Every patient has a dedicated therapist who builds a programme around the patients' needs and requirements.

4) You have various protocols that implement nutrition, meditation, movement and well-being. How can they improve the lives of cancer patients?

The Carer Protocol comprises three key elements:

Carer Nutrition Protocol: This is aimed at providing personalised and customised nutrition support to cancer patients and survivors to expedite healing and recovery. The Nutrition Protocol is built on tested personalised nutritional plans for each type of cancer and its symptoms. The patient has direct access to a personal nutritionist every day, guiding him/her.
Carer Movement and Meditation Protocol: This comprises movement exercises that help improve a patient's functional mobility, hormonal levels, strength and other physical and mental symptoms. Through one-on-one sessions, Carer Movement and Meditation Therapists assist patients with a combination of therapeutic yoga practices, physiotherapy and functional movement exercises that deal with fatigue, weakness, weight loss and pain, which are common physical side effects of cancer and treatment.
Carer Mental Well-Being Protocol: The objective of the Mental Well-Being Protocol is to provide a supportive environment for the patient by helping them accept the disease and motivating them to move on. The mental well-being therapy is extended to the family of the patient since dealing with cancer also tends to affect the well-being of caregivers. A Mental Well-Being therapist delivers these sessions.

5) Tell us about the cancer care therapists who work with you. How do you work along with conventional doctors?

We have a stringent recruitment process in which we scout for therapists who come with pre-requisite credentials. They are then trained in-house under the Carer methodology. We partner with doctors and hospitals, where the doctors are briefed in-depth about our services. We are in constant contact with the doctor after that.

6) How has the response been from various hospitals in the city?

The response has been phenomenal and incredibly encouraging. The paradigm shifted when we were able to showcase result-oriented data to all the doctors and hospitals. They then garnered the confidence in us to treat their patients. Today, of course, they have also witnessed the feedback and results of Carer on the patients. Some of the hospitals we work with are Manipal Hospital, Aster CMI and Fortis Hospital.

7) Could you throw light on the number of patients you have treated till now?

Carer has to date treated 400+ patients. We collect feedback and testimonials from each one of our patients, good, bad or ugly, to understand how we can improve and serve better. Fortunately, the feedback at most times has been positive where patients and caregivers express their gratitude to have been given the support and guidance required during the most vulnerable stage of their lives. Caregivers, too, are supported through our mental well-being protocol which has translated into a better and more peaceful environment at home.

8) How affordable are Carer's services?

Carer has kept pricing extremely economical. We are very cognizant of the kind of investment made towards treating cancer itself and do not want to be an additional burden to the patient. The entire package of a Carer monthly programme (which includes clinical nutritionists, yoga therapists/physiotherapists and mental well-being therapists delivering therapies at home) is a fraction of what one would spend if they were to hire therapists independently.

9) How do you plan to take integrative oncology to the next level?

As the Carer Protocol has been significantly successful in improving the quality of life of cancer patients, we have been approached to adopt similar practices for other speicalties. While this is tempting, we aim to specialise in oncology at the moment. However, the future does look hopeful in being able to build Carer Protocols for all chronic and critical illnesses. While we offer therapies on-ground, technology is beginning to play a vital role in monitoring patients, retrieving data and delivering therapies more efficiently. Online versions of our protocol are already being offered to patients from Tier 2 and some Tier 3 cities. Therefore, an addition of new verticals, expansion into all Tier 1 cities and technology solutions are part of the growth plan.

Integrative Care for Cancer

Integrative oncology is bringing about a massive change in the way cancer patients are treated, and Carer is using it to treat patients in India. Ikyatha Yerasala reports.