Detect and Prevent: Why Cancer Screenings are Important?

Cancer cases are rapidly rising in the country. In fact, according to a recently released report by the ICMR and the Bengaluru-based National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, cases may cross the 15 lakhs figure by 2025. There are many reasons behind this deadly disease, ranging from genetics to lifestyle choices. Whether it can be cured or not depends heavily on the type and stage of the ailment. However, early detection can certainly save lives. On National Cancer Awareness Day, which is observed on November 7, let’s learn more about the process of cancer screening and how having critical illness insurancecan save the day.

What is cancer screening?

Cancer screening aims to look for early signs of cancer. It basically detects any pre-cancerous conditions before any symptom becomes evident. Spotting cancer at an early stage and providing immediate treatment leads to successful cure and increases the chances of survival.

By the time you develop symptoms, the cancer would have grown and spread and treating it may become difficult and, at times, incurable. The screening test is for those who have no symptoms at all. So, when your doctor suggests a screening test, it doesn’t mean you have cancer. But, if you develop any symptoms, consult your doctor immediately, and don’t wait for them to recommend a screening test.

Some common screening tests are mammography for breast cancer, colonoscopy for colon cancer and pap smear for cervical cancer.

Pros of cancer screening

Cancer screening has the following benefits:

• Since screening can detect cancer at an early stage, treatment can stop the infection from spreading. In many cases, detecting any abnormalities can prevent cancer from developing in the first place.
• If you are a cancer survivor, the test also identifies if any cancerous portion was left untreated from your last treatment.
• A screening process creates awareness about cancer. People learn more about the risk factors, significance of cancer detection in the early stage, and can explain better why a regular screening is needed.
• It saves money because treating cancer can consume all your savings if detected in the later stages because the treatment then is going to be extensive. Also, having health insurance with critical illness insurance comes to your aid if cancer is detected.

Cons of cancer screening

Though the screening process is improving and becoming better, it may still pose a few risks. To begin with, failing to detect cancer can give the patient a false sense of security and similarly, producing an abnormal result for a healthy person can lead to panic and anxiety. Over-diagnosis is the process of finding cancers that do not cause any great harm to the person, but it can be traumatic and troubling to learn that one has cancer. Lastly, people may suffer from side effects like pain or bleeding. Therefore, it’s important to discuss all test results with your doctor before reaching any conclusions.

Should you be screened for cancer?

The answer is yes. While one certainly needs to be mindful of the risks, the pros certainly outweigh the cons. To reiterate, early detection can save lives and that one reason is enough to protect yourself and your loved ones from a deadly disease.

Conclusion

Almost every medical test or procedure has its benefits and limitations, but still medical science relies heavily on them for diagnosis. Similarly, cancer screening is also reliable to a great degree. And now that you are well-aware of the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision. Lastly, cancer or not, having critical illness insuranceis non-negotiable. Having one will help you get the best healthcare facilities while shielding your savings.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.