Sania Mirza at Laryngectomees Society 13th Anniversary Celebrations

Laryngectomees Society Estd. 1999 Cancer Institute, Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

Sania Mirza joins Laryngectomees in their 13th anniversary celebrations!

• Cancer survivors participate enthusiastically in the celebrations
• Tennis Ace Sania Mirza salutes the survivors

Hyderabad, December 8th, 2012: The Laryngectomee Society of Apollo hospitals celebrated its 13th anniversary at the Apollo Hospitals, on Saturday, by sending a strong message to the public that cancer is curable and despite all odds, it is still possible to live a normal life as cancer survivors. Quoting the example of cricketer Yuvraj Singh, Dr. Umanath Nayak, Consultant Head & Neck Oncologic Surgeon, Apollo Cancer Hospital and Founder President of the society, said that they had many such Yuvraj Singh's in their midst. Chief Guest, ace tennis star Sania Mirza, interacted with these brave cancer survivors and was appreciative of their courage.

The Society has over 300 members, many of who actively participated in various activities to convey the message of the success of this society in the rehabilitation of cancer patients. The activities included a walking competition to demonstrate their physical fitness despite going through the rigors of the disease and its treatment. A copy of the book "Enduring Cancer - Stories of Hope" by Dr. Umanath Nayak - a book dealing with true stories of cancer survivors, was presented to Sania Mirza by Dr. Nayak on the occasion.

The Laryngectomee society is a voluntary self-help rehabilitation group of cancer survivors who have undergone surgery for the removal of their larynx (voice box) as treatment for cancer of the throat. According to Dr. Umanath Nayak - Throat cancer is a common cancer in our country, mainly due to the rampant and indiscriminate use of tobacco in all forms. Overall about 12% of all cancers in India are related to the throat. About 1 lakh new throat cancers are diagnosed annually in our country, majority of which are in the advanced stages. Twin cities of Hyderabad & Secunderabad alone account for approximately 1,000 new throat cancer patients every year.

Dr. Nayak adds, one of the important curative treatments for advanced cancer of the throat is a surgery called total laryngectomy involving surgical removal of the larynx (voice-box). The person who has undergone this operation is called a laryngectomee. Laryngectorriees cannot speak in the normal way and are trained to speak using special voice prosthesis. In order to rehabilitate these patients, a social service self-help group called the laryngectomee society was formed at the Apollo hospitals in 1999 and this society has been providing guidance and support to laryngectomees from all over the state. The 5ociety riot only provides voice restoration to these patients, but is also involved in their physical, social, vocational and psychological rehabilitation too.