Regular screening can prevent cancer, says a study conducted on 10,648 healthy, cancer-free individuals from all over India conducted by city-based NGO.
Low mortality rate indicates that early detection is a better cure.
Can regular screening and education regarding lifestyle factors prevent cancer? Yes, says a study conducted on 10,648 healthy, cancer-free individuals from all over India conducted by city-based NGO, Cancer Patients Aid Association. The results of this ongoing cohort study has found acclaim in the recently-concluded World Cancer Congress held in Washington DC.
Over the 11-year period between 1994 and 2005, 6,420 males and 4,228 females from every state of India were medically examined and those declared free from cancer were included in the study. Their ages varied from one to 65 years and they belonged to groups whose incomes ranged from Rs60,000 to Rs60 lakh annually. “The group underwent compulsory cancer check-up at our screening centres, which included a blood test, Pap smear and breast examination for women,” said YK Sapru, chairman, CPAA. CPAA social workers counselled the group on the effects of tobacco and in case of women, the drawbacks of early marriage, multiple pregnancies and abortions. The results after 11 years of close study have been encouraging. A mere 76 (31 men and 45 women) of the 10,648 individuals were found to have cancer. Fifty-two of these are still alive (16 men and 36 women).
“The low mortality rate indicates the success of the annual cancer screening programme, which ensures early detection of the disease resulting in better cure. In India, 70 per cent of the patients come for tests during the advanced stage of disease when little can be done,” said Sapru. The deaths occurred in cases where early detection would not have made significant impact on the survival rates. Counselling also proved successful. “The most crucial aspect of this programme is the cancer insurance policy of the CPAA, under which annual check-ups are done,” said 75-year-old Suresh Maniar, who survived prostrate cancer. Under this policy, by paying a one-time premium of Rs8,000, the patients gets Rs2 lakh each every year till they are cured.
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