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Cancer screening is a proactive strategy that seeks to detect cancer before symptoms appear. This is essential for improving outcomes and saving lives. A major impact on cancer treatment and survival rates is understanding the importance of early detection through screening. Effective cancer management is based on early detection.
Dr Jayanthi Thumsi, Lead Surgeon- Breast Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centre, Bangalore says, “Healthcare providers can improve diagnosis and increase treatment options by detecting cancer at an early stage and implementing rapid therapy. Depending on the type of cancer, screening tests are different. , but they usually require minimally invasive or non-invasive techniques to find the aberrant cells or tumors.”
The role of early detection in cancer treatment
Dr Jayanthi highlighted, “One of the most recognized cancer screening methods is mammography for breast cancer. Mammograms, recommended annually for women above 40 years of age, can detect breast cancer at an early stage when it is most treatable. In India, 3 Less than 10% of women are screened for breast cancer, which contributes to an alarmingly high rate of late-stage diagnosis. Surprisingly, more than 60% of women seek medical help when the disease is already advanced, severely limiting treatment options and reducing survival. Sadly. , 1 in 2 newly diagnosed women with breast cancer in India lose the battle due to lack of awareness about the importance of breast screening.”
“Similarly, Pap smears are helpful in detecting cervical cancer by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix, allowing for early intervention and prevention.”
“Beyond breast and cervical cancer, screening programs exist for a variety of other cancers, including colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer. Colonoscopy, fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), and sigmoidoscopy are effective in detecting colorectal cancer, when prostate-specific antigen ( (PSA) tests help diagnose prostate cancer. Additionally, advances in imaging technology have led to the development of low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans for lung cancer screening, especially for high-risk individuals such as smokers,” concluded Dr. Jayanthi.
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