Cancer Screening Tools and Protocols

Checking normal people for preclinical disease (before the presentation/symptoms) is known as screening like routine recording of blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol, urine testing, pap smear etc. Those who test positive must undergo further testing and should take treatment if advised.

Cancer screening tests check/test your body for cancer before you have symptoms . Early detection of cancers help in tailoring effective therapy which reduces the chance of dying from it. Getting screening tests regularly may find breast (Mammography), cervical (Pap smear/HPV cotesting), and colorectal (colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy/stool tests) cancers early, when treatment is likely to work best. Lung cancer screening with low dose helical CT scan is recommended for some people who are at high risk.

Some cancers occur due to viral infections and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) tops the list. Chronic HBV may result in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),hence HBV vaccine reduces the prevalence of HCC. HPV infection is associated with cervical cancer and HPV Vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often causes these cancers. These vaccinations prevent new infections, but do not treat existing infections or diseases. This is why the vaccine works best when given before any exposure to the causative infections.

• Avoid smoking/exposure to tobacco smoke
• Avoid any form of tobacco (gutka/pan masala/khaini/hukka/supari/pan etc)
• Maintain healthy weight throughout your life
• Avoid weight gain (body weight or increase in waist circumference) in childhood
• Remain physically active in day to day life
• Sit less (Watching TV/Screens/Games/Professionals) and walk more
• Consume a diet rich in whole grains/pulses/vegetables/fruits/plant based food
• Limit consumption of fast or processed food rich in starch/sugar/fat like pre prepared dishes/snacks/bakery foods/confectionery items(candies)/desserts
• Limit consumption of red/processed meat
• Limit consumption of sugar sweetened drinks like colas/sodas/energy or sport drinks etc
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Don’t take supplements to prevent cancer until or unless prescribed by a Qualified Medical Practitioner

Like Hypertension/Diabetes/Cardiovascular diseases/Cancer/Obesity/Dyslipidemia/Arthritis/Osteoporosis by working on:

• Physical activity
• Diet
• Stress Management
• Sleep
• Emotional well being
• Addictions
• Body Mass Index (BMI)