GUWAHATI, May 14 - The RK Borkotoky Research Paper Award 2019 by Cancer Research Foundation, India (CRFI) has been bagged by Dr P Venkatraman from the Department of Medical Physics, Bharathiar University at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
The award has been instituted by Dr Amal Chandra Kataki, director of Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati to commemorate his teacher Dr RK Borkotoky, former professor and head of obstetrics and gynaecology, Assam Medical College and Hospital.
This year�s award recipient Dr Venkatraman and colleagues at the Bharathiar University have developed an indigenously fabricated technology for detection of early breast and lung cancers.
The research team analysed volatile organic compounds exhaled in breath and identified a few such compounds using an ion detector to detect breast and lung cancer in earlier stages. This technique has the advantages of being economic, highly sensitive, user-friendly, non-invasive and is a portable tool. According to Dr Kataki, who is also the chairman of CRFI, the idea of presenting the award to cancer researchers is to provide them with the recognition and visibility of their work.
�The long drawn battle against cancer can be won only by research. So far, except a few major cancer treatment centres or universities, India as a country is lagging behind when it comes to cancer research. The need for formulating guidelines for prevention and control of cancer in the country must evolve from indigenous research and not from western guidelines,� said Dr Kataki. Dr Manigreeva Krishna-treya, general secretary of CRFI, said the organisation is now a well-recognised body for the promotion of cancer research.
