Today cancer is the third biggest killer in India and if trends in advanced markets play out here, it will be the number one killer soon. Therefore, there has been a lot of discussion in media on the country's cancer burden and labelling India as 'Cancer Country'. More importantly, cancer in India is detected late and that puts an enormous burden on the common people because of the prohibitive cost of treatment and low chances of survival.

Early detection of cancer offers the best avenues for cure. This is possible by screening tests that detect cancers before the symptoms show up. Usually, by the time symptoms start showing up, cancer would have started to spread in the body. Screening helps in detecting cancerous cells very early thereby improving treatment outcome in a big way. However, unfortunately, not all s of cancer have screening tests yet.

Cancer Clinics believes the best way to fight cancer is by catching it early when the five-year survival rates are high and the cost of treatment is low. Our BEAT (Best outcomes through Early and Accelerated Treatment) Program is focused on ensuring just that. Through a combination of prevention, screening and surveillance strategies, the BEAT Program is pushing to move the needle on the median detection stage of cancer from the advanced stages in India to stage 1, like in the advanced countries. Come #BEATcancerwithCancerClinics.

Here is a comprehensive list of screening tests which help detect several forms of cancer early:

A regular colonoscopy helps in detecting colorectal cancer and also preventing it. For men over 50 years of age, colonoscopy is recommended once in 5 years.

Mammography is a technique that takes low dose x-ray images of breasts. It is done using a mammography machine. Mammography has the ability to find tumours that may be too small to feel during a physical exam. An annual mammogram is recommended for all women over 40 years of age.

A pap smear is also called a cervical smear and checks for changes in the cells of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus and vagina) that are taken by taking a sweep of the opening of the cervix.

Regular screening for women 21 years and older with the Pap test decreases their chance of being faced with cervical cancer. Pap smear is currently recommended for sexually active women once in every 3 years.

In a country like India where late detection of cancer is the norm, large scale screening programmes are the need of the hour. We, at Cancer Clinics, have organised screening drives for breast cancer and cervical cancer for large communities of people.

If you wish to arrange for a screening drive in your community or organisation, please write to us at info@cancerclinics.in. Screening is also available at our centres and you can book an appointment to get screened. To book an appointment please call on:

Toll free: 1800 120 2676