Fast And Effective Measures Taken For Early Cancer Detection

GUWAHATI: In view of the high prevalence of oral, cervical and breast cancer in the country, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India started a National Programme for Prevention and Early cancer Detection of Cardio-vascular disease, Diabetes, Cancer and Stroke (NPCDCS) a few years ago.

However, the conventional approach is not feasible due to limited human resource to cover an approximate 30 crore population at risk. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative methods like detection of auto-fluorescence or the reflected light from abnormal tissues in a research setting.

Dr. B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati in association with Tata Trusts has recently started a pilot study to develop an efficacious oral cancer screening strategy in India. In the phase-I, risk prediction model will be used for identification of those at greatest risk of oral cancer, thus reducing the number of screened individuals and enhancing cost-effectiveness. Individuals positive in auto-fluorescence will be recruited for brush biopsy to look for suspicious cells to confirm the diagnosis of oral cancer. It may also be stated that Dr. B Borooah Cancer Institute in partnership with Piramal Swasthya is already conducting awareness and screening for cervical, breast and oral cancer in Rural Kamrup District of Assam since October 2017 with a help of a Mobile Cancer Detection Van.

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