Life-saving checks for early detection of cancer and prevention

Meera, a 42 -year -old school teacher, recently went to the first routine mamogram. He felt very healthy and had no lumps on his chest. However, the scanning revealed a small lesion too small to be felt by hand. Biopsy confirmed early stage breast cancer. At first, although it was shattered, Meera had a surgery and radiation and was declared without cancer in months. I am grateful to his doctor, “I never thought that something could grow quietly inside me. A simple test proposed by a colleague saved my life.” He said. This story emphasizes that early cancer detection can really save lives.

Breast Cancer Screening

In India, existing recommendations show that women of the average risk started annual mammography screening at the age of 40 and continued until the age of 70 and continue monthly breaking exams and annual clinical exams by a doctor. Family breast or ovarian cancer stories, such as high -risk women, a simple blood test BRCA gene mutation test should be presented. The identification of a genetic mutation allows a personalized surveillance plan containing regular screening, preventive drugs or preventive surgeries in some cases. Genetic counseling and KASKAD test in family members are equally important for managing the risk of hereditary cancer. Unfortunately, awareness about genetic predispositions in India remains low. Many people are unaware that they or their families may be at risk of high breasts, ovaries or colorectal cancer due to hereditary mutations. Encouraging access to awareness and genetic tests is very important for prevention and early diagnosis.

Cervical cancer screening

Sharada, a 54 -year -old daily paid worker, jumped a cervical cancer screening camp because he once could not afford to lose his one -day wage or travel long distances. A health worker then introduced him to a self -exemplary audience in his home. With the instructions given in the local language and a video show, he gathered his own example in secrecy. The test assured the presence of high -risk human papillomavirus (HPV) that it was safe for the next decade.

Cervical cancer screening developed in a way that includes self -sampling for the HPV test, a method approved by the World Health Organization. Studies confirm that self -collected samples are as accurate as accurately collected by the clinician by eliminating obstacles such as discomfort, cost or access. Women who test positively for high -risk HPV can then be directed for more medical assessment. Globally, countries have begun to eliminate cervical cancer by using HPV -based molecular screening as a public health strategy.

Lung cancer screening

Rajan, a 60 -year -old office worker and long -term smoking, quit smoking and followed his doctor’s advice for a low -dose CT screening (LDCT). The screening revealed a small early -stage nodule, which was surgically, and attributed it to advanced disease. Im If I had ignored my doctor’s advice, I may not have survived, ”he reflected.

Although India does not have an official national lung cancer screening program, expert guides recommend annually LDCT for individuals with heavy smoking history (20 packs or more) for individuals aged 50-74 years. For long -term smokers and old smokers, LDCT is a proven life -saving intervention that helps to detect lung cancer at healable stages. Cancer Institute (WIA) Research Director Pandenangan Vijayanand has shown that early detection of lung cancer has led to better survival results.

Oral cancer screening

Suresh Kumar, a 48 -year -old shopkeeper with Pan dust and tobacco chewing habits, consulted a dentist for a thick white patch in his mouth. The dentist insisted on a biopsy that revealed the pioneer of oral cancer. “This lesion can potentially turn into cancer.The lesion was removed at the right time ..

In India, the Indian Medical Research Council (ICMR) and the National Cancer Network proposes an oral-visual examination that defines early cancers, precancerous lesions and other oral conditions in high-risk adults over 30 years of age. A simple oral visual examination with the palpation of the neck for the enlarged nodes of lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, and palates can define early cancers, precancerous lesions and other oral conditions. Since oral cancer is strongly linked to the use of tobacco, wide general screening programs anchored for visual examination may play a transformative role in life -saving in India. Oral cancers can be caused by fixed trauma caused by bad -sitting prostheses and sharp teeth worn against language or cheek. Any healing ulcers should be carefully examined by a specialist (dentist, ENT surgeon or surgical oncologist), even if not white or red, painful.

Progress in Sensitive Oncology

Cancer usually grows quietly without symptoms, treats at late stages when the treatments are complex, expensive and less effective. However, when detected early, cancers can be treated more frequently, requires less aggressive treatments and survival can heal significantly.

For some common cancers, built -in cancer screening tests are: Mammography, Pap Smear and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test, colonoscopy and feces hidden blood test, low -dose for lungs and prostate antigen (PSA). The landscape is constantly developing with AI algorithms to increase accuracy and reduce false positives during scanning.

The past decades have seen leaps in cancer genomics and precise oncology. The new generation of sequence has allowed the discovery of biobelizes who could predict the risk of cancer and help early detection. The most exciting recent innovation analyzed the genomic and epigenomic changes from a simple blood withdrawal of tumor DNA (CTDNA) in the cell-free circulatory circulatory circulatory circulatory circulating, and had been very early detection tests (MCED) that caused multiple cancer signals-usually symptoms. These tests are extremely sensitive and promises to complete traditional single cancer screening methods. Salivary -based biobelirts are investigated to detect oral cancers for early and disease monitoring.

Forward view

Although it is promising, these advanced technologies need more verification to assess long -term benefits in various populations such as India. Progress in early detection of cancer requires cooperative efforts between researchers, clinicians and policy makers to ensure accessibility, accessibility, and effective public health integration. Cancer screening and early detection are no longer not only medical developments, but life -saving interventions. With increasing awareness, fair access and integration of sensitive oncology into health systems, we can desire to detect cancer early, prevent it from progressing, and ultimately save numerous life.

(Dr. Vijayalakshmi Ramshankar Professor and President, Cancer Biology and Molecular Diagnostics Department, Adyar, Chennai.