5 Minutes Read
The importance of screening and preventive testing in cancer
KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)
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Summary
Dr. Vijay V. Haribhakti, Chair of Onco Sciences at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, and Dr. T Raja, Director of Medical Oncology at Apollo Hospitals, provide invaluable insights into this crucial aspect of cancer management.
Screening and preventive testing play pivotal roles in identifying cancer at its nascent stages or even before it manifests, offering a beacon of hope in the quest for better outcomes and enhanced survival rates. Dr. Vijay V. Haribhakti, Chair of Onco Sciences at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, and Dr. T Raja, Director of Medical Oncology at Apollo Hospitals, provide invaluable insights into this crucial aspect of cancer management.
Dr. Haribhakti emphasizes the distinction between early screening and diagnosis. Early screening targets individuals without apparent symptoms, aiming to detect cancers in their infancy. This approach, leading to the discovery of ‘screen-detected cancers,’ and holds immense promise in thwarting the disease’s progression according to him. On the other hand, early diagnosis involves proactively seeking out cancer, thereby initiating timely interventions.
Dr. T Raja, Director Medical Oncology at Apollo Hospitals, highlights the importance of precision screening, particularly for individuals with elevated cancer risks. Opportunistic screening, guided by individual risk profiles, enables targeted interventions, enhancing the efficacy of cancer detection efforts.
They point out that screening methods differ based on the cancers. From mammograms for breast cancer to PSA tests for prostate cancer, each screening tool holds immense potential in detecting malignancies at earlier, more treatable stages.
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Prevention, another cornerstone, involves modifying risk factors to mitigate the likelihood of cancer development. A poignant example is Angelina Jolie’s proactive decision to undergo a double mastectomy upon testing positive for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, significantly reducing her heightened risk of cancer he points out.
Dr. Haribhakti however highlights the complexities surrounding decisions in preventive screening. For example, the BRCA mutations, requires the need for a holistic approach involving patients, families, genetic counsellors, and healthcare providers. Decisions regarding preventive measures, such as prophylactic surgeries, necessitate thorough deliberation and comprehensive support systems.
However, despite the tough decisions involved, Dr Raja underscores the importance of genetic testing. He says it has emerged as a powerful tool in identifying hereditary predispositions to cancer particularly in the context of breast and cervical cancers, where genetic factors play a substantial role.
While screening and preventive testing is crucial the other important aspect highlights Dr Hairbhakti is knowing of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Lifestyle choices, such as smoking cessation, can substantially reduce cancer risk, while genetic predispositions like BRCA mutations necessitate tailored approaches.
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