Cancer patients can now upload their reports and get responses from world renowned experts within 24 hours by signing up for Navya Expert Opinion Service, available on the website www.navya.care. A machine learning-based system, developed in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Navya’s Evidence and Experience Engines works in such a way that once the reports are received, patient advocates reach out to users to gather all relevant case information, including preferences and constraints. The medical history, along with evidence based treatment options, are presented to a relevant expert using Navya’s patented system. On receiving the expert’s response, a report is created that answers all questions asked by the patient in a language that is simple to understand.
On Navya Expert Opinion Service, just like in Tata Memorial Centre of Mumbai and Stanford Medical Center of the USA, the decision is being made by a tumour board which typically consists of a diagnostic radiologist, pathologist, surgeon, medical oncologist and a radiation oncologist getting together in the same room to discuss the case. A decision is first taken on the diagnosis and staging of the disease by the pathologist and diagnostic radiologist and then the surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist decide on the treatment path. "The intent is to recommend a path that will provide a complete cure or extend years of cancer free survival or improve quality of life. This can be possible through surgery if the disease is localised and operable. Sometimes, the surgeon will suggest that the tumour be shrunk through chemotherapy or radiation and then the patient get operated," said Gitika Srivastava, founder of Navya, explaining further that cancer care is highly specialised and many cancers are curable or can be managed for a number of years if diagnosed early and treated appropriately. Choosing the right therapy vetted by an expert can be the difference between the best possible outcome and failed treatment. Navya has ensured that patients, irrespective of their location, are able to get treatment recommendations from experts, she noted.
"Most people who have had any experience with cancer are aware that it can be stressful consulting multiple doctors in search for the best way forward. However, it’s not always possible to gain access to experts. Given the cases we have seen, we would urge everyone to get an expert opinion online at navya.care. You can be assured that the opinion rests on the experience of world renowned cancer experts collaborating for the best possible treatment plan suited to your loved one’s case," Gitika added.
The service, which is already active in Mumbai and few other cities, was launched in Aurangabad on July 13.