Taking cancer by the horns a la Dr. Nori 

Renowned oncologist lists five measures focussed on prevention and early detection to save lives

Attempts to attend all cancer cases by increasing the number of hospitals would be a tough task given the incidence of the disease in India. Rather, technological advances in cancer treatment and heavy amounts of money spent in establishing the hospitals should be partly utilised for preventive measures and early detection, which can go a long way in saving lives.

This policy change suggestion has come from Nori Dattatreyudu who has over 50 years of experience in oncology. A Padma Shri recipient, Dr.Nori cites data gathered from National Health Portal, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), to explain the immediate need to take steps.

He said 440 million women in India aged 15 years or above are potential cases at risk of developing cervix cancer, which is preventable. Around 200 females die of cervix cancer every day. Besides, a significant number of cancer deaths in the country every year are due to tobacco use.

“Constant surveillance helps in detecting cervix cancer in early stages, thereby saving women. It is curable in early stages,” said the renowned oncologist.

In a freewheeling conversation with The Hindu, the senior doctor, who was in Hyderabad, discussed five measures which focuses on prevention and early detection, and not treatment.

“We are not talking about multi-million dollar investment; we are readjusting,” he stressed.

One of the measures include making cancer a notifiable disease. “All cancer cases should be registered with the Central government. This helps to know the correct data. When you have the data, you will be able to identify the pockets where cancer is high and then put your resources there,” he explained.