Early diagnosis can save 30% breast cancer victims

SRL Diagnostics developed innovative techniques to diagnose breast cancer at early stages. Accurate detection and diagnosis is confirmed by taking a radiological imaging or biopsy of the concerning lump followed by their most innovative BRCA 1 & 2 gene tests.

It is estimated that one in twenty two Indian women have a lifetime probability of developing breast cancer. Drawing reference from the industry scenario, SRL Diagnostics believes that by 2020 70 per cent of the world's cancer cases will be in poor countries, with a fifth in India, while breast cancer is set to overtake cervical cancer as the most common type of cancer among all women in India.

Urban women are at almost double the risk of breast cancer than rural women. The data further states that the number of cancer cases in rural areas is 14.5 per 1 lakh, whereas in urban areas it is 26.9 per 1 lakh. With current breast cancer risk rates only 30 per cent of women in the population are at higher risk of the disease. This epidemic calls for a timely diagnosis of the disease in India.

Among most inherited cases of breast cancer are associated with two abnormal genes: Breast Cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) or Breast Cancer gene 2 (BRCA2). About 5–10 per cent of cases are due to genes inherited from one’s parents. Women with an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have about a 60 per cent risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes (compared to 12-13 per cent for women overall).

To accelerate the progress in combating Breast Cancer, SRL also provides tests like Breast Cancer Monitor- I (CA 15-3, CEA), Chemiluminescence 3022, Breast Cancer Prognosis Tumor Profile, HER - 2, Breast Metastatic Marker – CA 15.3 and DNA Ploidy, Mammogram, MYC gene amplification and cell cycle analysis.

Dr BR Das, “This is a crucial time for us to get concerned about breast cancer risks, as more and more women are diagnosed with the disease. Our team feels that a two-pronged exclusive BRCA 1 & 2 gene test is the best way to detect breast cancer at an initial stage followed by a preventive therapy and lifestyle advice. Developing new approaches to prevent the disease can lead to significant progress over the next 10 years, with many more cases of breast cancer being prevented.”

Dr Das further adds, “Through activities of the health ministries of the Central and State governments in India, PBCR, HBCCR, ICMR and their joint projects as well as through activities of NGOs and WHO volunteers in India; several mass surveillance and screening programs have been initiated all over the country.

However, if we consider the latest prevalence that is available from PBCR, HBCR and Globocan; in spite of screening programs the incidence of breast cancer is constantly on the rise. This warrants a need to further strengthen the existing screening and awareness campaigns and to widen their expanse among India’s large population.”