Now, affordable voice prosthesis for throat cancer patients

CHENNAI: In less than two months, throat cancer patients who have lost their voice boxes to surgeries can regain their voice, thanks to a new and cost-effective voice prosthesis.A Bangalore-based oncologist has developed an artificial voice box that costs just Rs 50 and once it completes its clinical study period in six weeks, it can be implanted in patients. The device weighing 25gms enables throat cancer patients who had their larynx removed to speak. It pretty much works on the principle of the natural voice box: When air passes through the food pipe, it vibrates and creates a sound that can be converted into intelligent speech in coordination with brain.Until now, patients have been implanted with imported voice boxes that cost anywhere between Rs 20,000 – Rs 40,000 and they have to be changed every 6 months. “Our only aim was to ensure that throat cancer patients who have lost their voice can speak again, without having to shell out thousands on an artificial voice box. So this locally made device would cost less than a dollar,” said Dr Vishal Rao of HCG Cancer Care. The new device which is called Aum voice prosthesis can be used up to 6 months and will benefit the lower income group in a big way, he added.Ramakrishna, a watchman who lost his voice box to throat cancer recently underwent a surgery and had the Aum voice box implanted. “Since I could not afford a new one, I was using the imported voice box for more than two years which was well past its expiry date. Now with just Rs 50 I have regained my voice,” he said."Speaking is a right. When the voice box of patients is removed during surgery, they crave to speak. As if the trauma of the disease is not enough, the shock of having lost their voice takes a toll on them, emotionally. Our main aim is to reach out to the regional cancer centers once the device is launched in the market,” said Dr Rao. He added that the simplicity of the product and a practical packaging has helped them price is at Rs 50.Every year, over 25000 new throat cancer cases get diagnosed in the country and one-third of them poses the risk of voice box removal. ‘More than ensuring a lot of people opt for cost-effective voice boxes, our focus should mainly be on eradicating tobacco which is the main cause of such cancers,” said the doctor.