Kozhikode: As India marks National Cancer Awareness Day today, doctors are calling on citizens to move beyond fear and take proactive steps towards early detection, stressing that timely screening can mean the difference between life and death.

Speaking to Mathrubhumi, Dr Madhavi Nair, Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospital, Sarjapur Road, said that cancer remains one of the most feared diseases in the world, but fear should lead to action, not paralysis.

“The truth is, early detection can make all the difference between a difficult battle and a victorious one. Screening saves lives because it catches cancer before it has the chance to spread or worsen,” she added.

Dr Nair advises that every woman should begin regular mammograms from the age of 40 and undergo Pap smears as recommended. “All women above the age of 20 should undergo Pap smears every three years, and those above 31 should do so with HPV DNA testing every five years,” she adds.

For men, PSA level testing after 50 is essential, while everyone over 40 should include annual blood tests and abdominal ultrasounds in their health check-ups. “A single screening can rewrite your future, because when cancer is found early, treatment is simpler, survival is higher, and hope is stronger,” Dr. Nair notes.

Echoing her views, Dr Harish E, Surgical Oncologist at KMC Hospital, Mangalore, emphasises that screening remains one of the most effective ways to detect cancer early—often before any symptoms appear.

“Early detection improves cure rates, reduces the need for aggressive therapy, and enhances quality of life,” he says. According to Dr Harish, evidence strongly supports the life-saving value of screening:

  • Mammography reduces breast cancer deaths by up to 30%.
  • Cervical screening prevents most cervical cancers.
  • Colorectal screening detects and removes precancerous polyps.
  • Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT saves lives in high-risk smokers.
  • Oral screening helps detect early lesions in people who use tobacco, alcohol, or betel nut.
  • Prostate cancer screening using PSA testing can identify the disease early in men at higher risk. 

He outlines when and why testing is needed:

  • Breast: Women 40–74 years – Mammogram every 1–2 years.
  • Cervical: Women 21–65 years – Pap test every 3 years or HPV test every 5 years.
  • Colorectal: Adults 45–75 years – Colonoscopy every 10 years or stool tests regularly.
  • Lung: Heavy smokers 50–80 years – Annual low-dose CT scan.
  • Oral: Adults using tobacco, alcohol, or betel nut – Annual oral exam.
  • Prostate: Men 50+ years (or 45+ if high-risk) – Discuss PSA testing with a physician.

“Even if you feel healthy, regular screening can catch cancer early — and early detection saves lives,” he adds.

As the nation observes National Cancer Awareness Day, health experts urge people to act now rather than wait for symptoms to appear. In the fight against cancer, knowledge, vigilance, and timely screening remain the strongest weapons.