Did you know that almost 12% of the Indian population suffers from some kind of cancer or related medical condition? Many studies also show that the numbers are only going to increase in the future. For males, lung cancer cases are high while for women, it is breast cancer. What is worse is that we don’t take care of our health by going in for early screening tests either. Less than 30% of cancer cases are caught by early detection tests. For the rest of the cases- individuals seem to wait till symptoms get really bad and then choose to get medical help. This delay can mean that the cancer has progressed to more advanced stages and treatment gets tougher.
Why Early Detection Is Important
Let us learn why early detection is important- it is really simple. If the doctor and the affected individual know that something is wrong, then treatment can begin in earnest. The prognosis is also much better than for advanced stages. Loss of life is also prevented and people who get appropriate treatment at the right time also tend to live longer. Yes! October is also called the ‘Pink Ribbon Month’ due to its association with breast cancer. However it does not mean that only breast cancer can be detected with early screening measures. Most cancers can be caught at early stages. But how do you know there is something wrong and when to seek medical help? You should be aware of a few important signs and symptoms like the following-
● Any suspicious lumps or tumors need to be checked
● Any abnormal discharge from the breast or vaginal discharge in women or when blood itself is the discharge
● Significant weight loss due to unknown reasons and poor appetite
● A wound that does not seem to heal at all
● Any change in warts, moles, or birthmarks
● Major change in bowel movements
It is possible to get vaccinated against certain kinds of cancers like cervical cancer. But for others, early screening is the only form of detection that seems to work. For other cancers, blood tests that check for specific biomarkers and detailed imaging using scans are used for routine diagnosis.
Why Are There Such Low Levels Of Detection In India?
Simple! We tend to overthink and not get medical help. Some common causes for a delay in detection include-
● The fear that someone will die if they get a definitive diagnosis, also called fatalism.
● Some form of miscommunication between the patient and the doctor
● Thinking that it is a waste of time
Early Screening Guidelines-
These are some early screening guidelines broken down by age-
● It makes sense to get annual tests done properly after someone turns 25 years of age, till 65 years for cervical cancer.
● For breast cancer, unless there is any family history or overt changes in your breast morphology, there is no need to go in for screening.
● Colon cancer risks seem to increase with age so getting tested annually after turning 45 is a sensible choice.
● Women should get mammograms done every year once they turn 45. For cervical cancer, you can get an HPV test and a pap smear done every few years (3 for Pap, 5 for HPV and Pap combined).
● Prostate cancer screening should be done annually by men who have turned 45 years of age.
● Above 50-80 years of age- lung cancer detection tests must be done using low-dose CT scans.
● After you turn 55, you can begin to get mammograms every couple of years if needed.
Conclusion- As with any medical condition, early detection of cancer is the only sure way to know how to deal with it and treat it effectively. Taking good care of your health should be your first priority- eat well, exercise regularly, sleep well, not getting exposed to any carcinogenic substances (meaning no drinking or smoking), not having a family history - all of these factors matter when you will begin to go in for early detection screening. So age is not the main factor, your health really is.
FAQs-
1) Why is early cancer detection important?
It will help you come up with a treatment plan which is not very invasive or very harmful for your body and help with your odds of survival in the future.
2) Who should get cancer screening done regularly?
Anyone who is female or male, or who is above a particular age, or has a family history of some specific cancer and is exposed to certain risk factors needs to get screened regularly.
3) How is cancer diagnosed?
The doctor can ask you for blood tests, specific imaging, and a physical exam to be done but a biopsy is the only sure way to find if you have cancer or not. Genetic testing may also be used in some cases to pinpoint risk.
4) How is cancer treated?
You may be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy are options available. A combination of these may be suggested depending on the severity of the cancer. Some cancers respond better to specific types of treatment too.
5) Can lifestyle changes reduce my risk of getting cancer?
Yes, to some extent this is true. Not smoking or drinking too much alcohol, not having a sedentary lifestyle and eating nutritious food can help in retaining good health for a long time.