Partnership in Cancer Survivorship Optimization (PICASSO) project: An Indian Cancer Society (ICS) initiative for cancer survivorship program in India.

Abstract

46 Background: Ugam is a support group of childhood cancer survivors from After Completion of Treatment (ACT) clinic at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), functioning under umbrella of Indian Cancer Society (ICS), not for profit organisation. Ugam’s mission is empowerment of survivors and advocacy. ACT-Ugam has provided role model for holistic care to cancer survivors.Project PICASSO (Partnership in Cancer Survivorship Optimization) is developed by ICS to promote & facilitate paediatric cancer unit (PCU) based ACT clinic & provide psychosocial support for holistic care of cancer survivors across the country. Methods: A survey was conducted for identifying the survivorship practices in pediatric cancer units (PCU) in Mumbai based hospitals to identify the partners who will setup PCU based ACT clinic. ICS will provide professional and technical assistance to ACT Clinic survivors to enable them to live a productive life. This will include identifying survivor’s need, psycho social counseling, career counseling / aptitude tests, registering them as Ugam members, funding for education if required, soft skills development programme for job readiness, facilitating job placements, survivorship care plan & information material. Ugam database was reviewed for its experience in the field so far to extrapolate the services to partner institutes under PICASSO. Results: Project PICASSO was launched by ICS in May 2016. Among five Mumbai based PCUs who participated in survey, only one (TMH) has organized survivorship program. Communication is ongoing for launch of the project with other units. Total Ugam members- 280 ( 2009 to date), male:female 195:85. Career guidance and aptitude testing provided to > 50 survivors, job placements 9, educational & vocational scholarships through ICS and by referring to other sources > 100. International scholarships to present at conferences: 5. Conclusions: Existing model of Ugam is marching towards fulfillment of its mission of empowerment and advocacy. Expansion of Ugam activities to include more survivors from other partnering units will lead to development of a national care model for cancer survivors.