A 2020 National Cancer Registry Programme study has reported that one in nine people will develop cancer at some point in their lives. While early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, many cases are diagnosed late due to various reasons. One major challenge is that cancer symptoms often overlap with those of other common illnesses, making them hard to identify.
Dr Dinesh Pendharkar, Director at Sarvodaya Cancer Institute in Faridabad, explains that symptoms like weight loss, persistent cough, low-grade fever, and loss of appetite are not unique to cancer and can indicate other conditions as well. This often leads to delayed diagnoses because both patients and doctors may not initially suspect cancer. For example, a persistent cough could signal a lung tumour, but in cities with poor air quality, it’s often ignored as just another symptom of pollution.
The key to early detection is regular screening and testing. Dr. Pendharkar focuses on tests like X-rays and abdominal ultrasounds that are vital in identifying cancer in its early stages. These screenings should be accessible to everyone to ensure prompt diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes.
Dr. Mudit Agarwal, Unit Head and Senior Consultant at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, discusses two big challenges in cancer diagnosis. First, recognizing symptoms can be hard because they are often similar to those of other illnesses. Second, many people avoid seeking help even if they suspect cancer due to fear. They worry about the diagnosis, treatments, and the impact on their lives.
Affordability is also a barrier, with some people avoiding care because they cannot afford private treatment or face long wait times in government hospitals. Even though certain warning signs like white patches in the mouth or non-healing ulcers may appear, only 20-30% of people act on them.
Older women, especially in their 60s, often avoid getting checked because they don’t want to burden their families. This leads to late diagnoses when treatment options are fewer and survival chances are lower.
Read: “I thought it was ileus at 32, but it was colorectal cancer": Why are more young Indians at risk?
Is everyday stress lead to cancer?
Dr Mudit Agarwal and Dr Dinesh Pendharkar agree that stress is not directly linked to cancer but can have an indirect impact. Stress can weaken the immune system and impair healing, but there is no concrete evidence connecting it to cancer. However, managing stress is important for overall health, as it can affect blood pressure and mask actual cancer symptoms.
Dr Agarwal further says that unexplained fatigue alone is not a major sign of cancer. However, if fatigue is accompanied by unintended weight loss, it could be a cause for concern. If this occurs over six months, it may indicate an underlying issue, possibly cancer. On the other hand, general fatigue without weight loss is usually not linked to cancer.
Read: Trump announces $500 billion Stargate AI plan to cure diseases like cancer in 48 hours