Cancer therapy, a window of opportunity

Lifestyle changes aside, anti-cancer therapy offers screening tests and vaccines to patients as a hope for protection against the deadly disease. While prevention is indeed the best policy, the obvious question that comes to mind is its effectiveness.

Nowadays, many diagnostic clinics and hospitals offer cancer diagnostic packages, starting from Rs6,000. The package includes a physical exam, an ultrasound and blood tests like biomarker tests that can indicate the possibility of cancer. But oncologists warn that these tests may not always be foolproof.

“These are not your know-it-all tests. At most, it can tell you, if there are elevated levels of proteins in your body to give you an idea that a person could be suffering from some sort of cancer. But these are not very specific tests. So, it would be better to go to a qualified doctor for preventive checks and depending on international guidelines, he can suggest specific tests, depending on your risk assessment for cancer screening,” said oncosurgeon Anupama Mane.

While diagnostic packages remain the latest thing in anti-cancer therapy, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines against cervical cancer are also very popular.

Though doctors swear about its efficacy and urgent need for young women,  oncologists say women should consider cost-benefit ratio before opting for it.

“There are many screening tests available for various types of cancers and some of these are really life-saving. Writing them off may not be fair. So, people should read about standard guidelines for screening tests, when it is recommended and their benefits and efficacy, as well as consider costs before taking a decision,” said Dr Minish Jain, chief medical oncologist, Ruby Hall Clinic.