Chennai :  On occasion of World Cancer Day, February 4 to reduce the impact of cancer on individuals, families, and communities, Indus Health Plus released an Abnormality Report on Cancer. It is important to undergo regular screening tests and health check-ups to understand our current health status and for early detection of any abnormal condition developing in the body.

Health check-up data from April 2020 to Dec 2021 (sample size: 18,500) revealed that, most of the cancers, if detected timely can be cured with better management.

Some screening tests for cancer include blood tests like PSA (prostate specific antigen for prostate cancer), CA 125 (For Female reproductive organs) and other diagnostic tests like mammography /sonomammography (for breast cancer) and Pap smear (for cervical cancer in females).

Indus screening check-ups revealed that 18% of the females tested were in the borderline range meaning they required regular follow ups for the conditions detected (Cervical & Breast Cancer). The abnormal percentage for females was about 17% and they required treatment and proper medical/surgical management for the same. 2% of the females however had high suspicion for the diagnosis of malignancy/cancer and they required urgent further investigation like biopsies and immediate consultation with Specialist doctors to manage the condition. In males, 2% were in the borderline category mainly for PSA and 1% had abnormal PSA level which is a cancer marker for prostate cancer. This required them to again go for further management and follow ups depending upon the detected abnormality.

Gender	Normal	Borderline	Abnormal	Urgent
F	63%	18%	17%	2%
M	97%	2%	1%	–
Total	77%	12%	10%	1%

Mr. Amol Naikawadi, Preventive Healthcare Specialist and JMD Indus Health Plus said, “Cancer is still one of the most distressing and stressful diagnosis in today’s times. To manage the risk of the disease, it is important to undergo regular health check-up to understand our current health status and for early detection of any abnormalities. Additionally, genetic screening also helps in understanding an individual’s predisposition to cancer. Regular follow ups, health check-ups, healthy lifestyle, helps individuals prepare themselves in timely management of cancer.”

Indus Health Plus conducted a study based on genetic testing of 9500 individuals for their genetic risk for cancers. The data revealed that

• 24% and 21% females were at the higher risk of developing breast and endometrial cancer respectively.
• Men were at higher genetic risk of developing colorectal cancer than women.
• 22% Men showed a higher genetic predisposition towards prostate cancer.
• For lung cancer, 6% men and 4% women were shown to have a higher genetic predisposition to develop the disease.

Types of cancer	Female	Female	Female		Male	Male	Male
	less likely to have the trait	normal	high risk of having the trait		less likely to have the trait	normal	high risk of having the trait
Breast_Cancer	26%	50%	24%
Colorectal_Cancer	10%	20%	9%		15%	34%	13%
Endometrial_Cancer	24%	55%	21%
lung cancer	6%	28%	4%		10%	45%	6%
Prostate_Cancer					25%	53%	22%

Cancer can be prevented (in most of the cases), if detected in time. For timely and early detection, annual health checkups and to reduce the impact of the disease, a balanced lifestyle and adequate consumption of antioxidants is essential. Opting for Genetic Screening can help in planning a healthy lifestyle and timely health checkups.