First molecular lab for cervical cancer now in Chennai
Posted on: 20/Dec/2018 9:55:36 AM - No. of views : (3562)
The city of Chennai has added one more feather to its cap now. The sensational news is India�s first ever molecular laboratory for cervical cancer has come up at Adyar based Cancer Institute (WIA) in Chennai. On Wednesday, 19th December 2018, the Cancer institute launched this lab for the screening of cervical cancer. The important point is early detection of cervical cancer through molecular human papillomavirus or HPV would be possible by this and it would be highly beneficial for many women.
In-vitro diagnostic solutions have been provided by Roche Diagnostics India is known. This company has launched its HPV DNA screening solution at the Chennai Cancer Institute now. The chairperson of Cancer Institute, Dr. V. Shantha, spoke about how the screening tests have come a long way from Pap smear to the molecular diagnostics and HPV testing now. She later explained the importance of early detection of cancer and said early detection could give the best chance to cure cancer.
The important point here is cervical cancer could take as long as 10 to 15 years to develop and by means of regular screening it would be possible to know about a woman�s individual risk. Detection of cancer could be carried out early itself. The superb piece of information is cervical cancer is preventable and adopting a comprehensive approach that includes vaccination, effective screening, early diagnosis and treatment, has the potential to lower or reduce the existing mortality associated with cervical cancer. It is now brought out that the absence of organised screening programme in India has resulted in this situation. It must be taken into account that statewide cancer registry has been implemented in Tamil Nadu and TN has been running a statewide screening programme. In the year 1984, cervical cancer was present in 31.5 per 100,000 population and this has declined to 13.6 per 100,000 population in the year 2015. Dr. Shantha later pointed out that breast cancer has increased in women and there is also parallel rise in other types of cancers like ovarian and endometrial cancers etc. As per Mr. J. Radhakrishnan, health secretary, 5 new cobalt therapy units would be installed and modernisation of the present 10 cobalt units would be carried out in the government hospitals at a cost of Rs 45 crores. He later added that 8 new linear accelerators would be commissioned and the existing equipment would be modernised at a cost of Rs 165 crores. Director of Cancer Institute, G. Selvaluxmy spoke about the identification of high risk population and how HPV DNA screening would be effective in that.
Managing director of Rosche Diagnostics India, Mr. Shravan Subramanyam, explained the importance of creating awareness at the grass root level to bring the patients for screening.
