Project Description

Cancer Screening Facility at Phoenix Hospital Bangalore

One word which creates a fear of losing life or losing a loved one is CANCER. One wonders – is there any way to identify it in early stage to prevent its growth and save life. Many factors influence the onset of its development. Today, oncologists stress on healthy life style and nutritious food intake to avoid risk of its development believing “Prevention is better than cure”. With on time screening, better understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease and advancement in the medical technology and target drug development, the survival rate has increased. And same patients have shown resolution or cure from this. If one can detect the this disease in early stage and initiate the appropriate treatment, the mortality can be reduced. Certain screening tests are performed to check signs of the disease before even symptoms start. Such tests are considered as Screening Tests.

Availability of Screening Tests:

Type of Cancer Screening Tests
Breast
  • Self-examination of breast by patient as briefed by the clinician
  • Clinical Breast Examination by clinicians
  • Mammography for checking any tumour or irregular growth in breast
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for confirming the outcome of mammography or other tests
Cervical
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is done by scrapping the cells from woman’s cervix
  • PAP test for identifying any changes in cervix cells (precancerous/cancerous)
Colorectal
  • Colonoscopy to check on presence of any polyp / tumourous growth in entire colon
  • Sigmoidoscopy to check on presence of any polyp/tumour-like growth in upper part of colon
  • Faecal Occult Blood Test to check presence of blood in faeces/stool which can be indicator of polyp/cancer
  • Double contrast barium enemais considered for patients for whom colonoscopy cannot be done
  • Stool DNA Tests analyses DNA from person’s stool to check any changes in polyp and cancer
Head & Neck
  • General Health Screening involves examination of the mouth, nose and throat to check on presence of lump/growth
Dental Check-ups
  • To check for oral cancer
Lung
  • Low-dose helical or spiral computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan to check presence of any tumour or abnormalities
Prostate
  • Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) to check on any irregularities or change in shape of prostate gland
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test indicates on tumorous enlargement
Skin
  • Self-examination or skin examination by clinician
  • Dermoscopy to check the shape, size and pigmentation patterns

Benefits of cancer screening tests:

  • Detecting cancer signs before the appearance of symptoms

  • Awareness of the disease stage

  • Confirmation of disease through the diagnostic investigation

  • Initiation of the appropriate treatment and saving life