Dr Manoj Kutteri, Medical Director and CEO, Atmantan Wellness Centre explains the role of screening programmes in early detection of cancer
The major reasons for cancer vary based on our lifestyle and social habits. Besides genetic factors, exposure to radiation, toxic chemicals, smoking etc are major reasons. Chronic infections, certain hormones, immunological disorders, and sedentary lifestyle and poor diet are other causes. Cancer is a multifaceted disease due to the intricate interactions between environmental factors and genetic predispositions. The major forms of cancers leading to mortality are skin cancer, colorectal cancers, prostate cancer, lung, and breast cancer. Out of which lung cancer is
the leading cause of mortality globally.
Cancer screening programmes are organised with the goal of early detection. This helps to detect cancer or precancerous diseases at a time when therapy is most likely to be effective so that the mortality rate can be decreased. These programmes usually target groups of people who, due to a combination of characteristics like age, sex, family history, and lifestyle, are more likely to develop a particular cancer.
Reducing mortality and improving the quality of life are two major benefits of implementing effective lung cancer screening programmes. Lung cancer can be detected early, even before the symptoms manifest, and treated when the illness is still in the initial stages. The opportunity to detect early and provide treatment helps to increase survival rates and raise the likelihood of a successful course of treatment. It has been demonstrated that screening, especially with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), lowers the death rate from lung cancer by identifying tumours early on when they are more likely to be localised and responds to treatment.
Additionally, screening programmes help to identify those who are at high-risk, including smokers who have been smoking heavily for a long period, and offer them personalised interventions and advice so that they can prevent cancer or slow down the progression of cancer. By raising awareness and educating people about lung cancer, we can contribute to various initiatives supporting healthy lifestyle choices and prompt early self-reporting of symptoms. Early screening and detection can also avoid the need for more involved and costly therapies that are necessary for advanced-stage cancers. Screening procedures can also lower long-term healthcare expenses during the treatment period. Programmes for screening for lung cancer are an essential public health intervention that provide a proactive means of controlling and mitigating the impact of this serious illness.
The screening techniques used vary based on the kind of cancer, but often involve:
● Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer, particularly in those who have a long history of heavy smoking in their past.
● Besides palpating for any lumps, women should get mammograms to check for breast cancer, especially if they are over 40 or have a family history of cancer. Breast MRI can also be used in any suspected cases.
● Women aged 21 to 65 are targeted for Pap screenings and HPV tests to prevent cervical cancer. Pap smear can detect any cancerous or precancerous cells and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV test) can detect the presence of cervical cancer.
● Stool tests and colonoscopies are often advised for persons over 50, or earlier for those with a family history of colorectal cancer especially when there are early symptoms suspecting the same Faecal Occult Blood test that can detect the presence of any occult blood in the stool can be a sign of cancer. Stool DNA analysis is also used to understand the DNA changes in the blood sample due to a cancerous growth. A similar procedure like colonoscopy is sigmoidoscopy which can detect the cancer of the rectum or sigmoid colon.
● A trans-vaginal ultrasound or the most commonly tested cancer marker CA-125 can detect the cancerous state of the ovaries.
● Pancreatic cancer is also a very common condition. This can be ruled out by doing an endoscopic ultrasound or the cancer market CA19-9 test
● Men, especially those over 50 or at high risk, can be tested for prostate cancer using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests.
● Cancer of the liver which is usually a complication of alcoholism can be detected by an ultrasound procedure or by checking the blood levels of Alpha-Fetoprotein.
● Palpating the testes for any lumps or ultrasound imaging can be used to detect testicular cancer in men.
Because they provide early intervention, these initiatives play a critical role in lowering the incidence and mortality of cancer.
- Advertisement -