PREVENTIVE ONCOLOGY
Fear Not Cancer But The Delay
The word “Cancer” generates lots of anxiety because most people do not know that early detection cures and that cancer is preventable and there are ways to prevent it. There are many unanswered questions, fears and myths in the minds of the people and here we are… to help each and every one of you!
The incidence of cancer is steadily increasing. Over the past two decades the incidence of common cancers has nearly doubled. The most common cancers are tobacco-related, cervix and breast cancers. Fortunately, these are the cancers, more amenable to prevention and control through early detection.
Cancer Institute (WIA) is the pioneer in cancer control initiatives, which started as early as 1961. Cancer control by early detection and cancer screening services for apparently healthy people has been part of the services rendered by the institute, since its inception.
In order to make this specialized services easily and widely available to general public, the department of Preventive Oncology is currently functioning in the Gandhi Nagar campus, Adyar, Chennai, away from the crowded cancer outpatient departments. This facilitates easy accessibility and reduces the waiting time for consultation and related services.
Breast Cancer-early Detection Plan
Early detection is the key to cure breast cancer.
- Beginning at age 20: Breast Self-Examination monthly following periods (BSE)
- Age 30 to 39: BSE + Clinical Breast Exams (CBE) every two years.
- By the of age of 40: BSE + Annual Clinical Breast Exams Baseline screening mammogram + Ultrasound breasts recommended.
- Ages 40 to 49: BSE + Annual Clinical Breast Exams + Repeat Mammogram with medical advice
- By the age of 50 : BSE + Annual Clinical Breast ExamsBaseline Screening Mammogram + Ultrasound Breasts
- Ages 50 and older and Post Menopausal women:BSE + Annual Clinical Breast Exams + Repeat Mammogram with medical advice
Maintain a healthy weight, follow a low-fat diet, get regular physical activity
This is a general recommendation. Women at increased risk such as positive family history require close monitoring. Any palpable lump in the breast requires immediate medical attention.
Emergency Cases
Please feel welcome to contact our friendly reception staff with any general or medical enquiry call us.
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Prevent Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is a preventable cancer. A virus called Human Papilloma causes this cancer.
All sexually active women should undergo screening tests like pap smear or HPV testing or both. It is necessary to repeat the tests periodically once a year or once in two years based on medical advice.
Any abnormalities detected in these tests should be treated immediately to prevent cervix cancer.
Women above 50 years of age and post-menopausal women should have a baseline pap smear if they are not previously screened. Tests may be repeated if necessary. Annual Gynec/pelvic examination is strongly recommended.
[read more] HPV Vaccines:Vaccines are available to prevent cervical cancer. These are recommended for children 11 to 13 years of age for maximum benefit, though girls of any age before the onset of sexual activity can receive the vaccines.
Vaccines do not offer 100% protection against cervical cancer. Therefore it is mandatory to undergo screening tests as recommended after the onset of sexual activity. [/read]
History
The cancer control activities by the Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, dates back to 1961-62 when a survey of 10,775 patients attending the primary health centres in Chengalpattu district for any ailment was carried out analogous to opportunistic screening for cancer. Due to financial limitations, we could not undertake any major control programmes for the next 20 years, except limited ‘opportunistic screening’ in the corporation hospitals in Madras City.
This was followed by
- Tindivanam Feasibility Study - Training of VHN for Screening Cancer Cervix (1989 - 1991).
- South Arcot Cancer Control programme" - 1992-1998.
- The Modified District Cancer Control Programme (MDCCP) Tiruchirapalli- 2001-2002.
- Population Screening for Cervix., Female Breast, and Oral cancers in the Tiruvanmiyur Belt Area 2003 -2008.
- District Cancer Screening Project - Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallore (2008-ongoing).
Current Programs
District Cancer Screening Project – Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallore (2008-ongoing).
- No. of households visited : 31,792
- No. of subjects who underwent a clinical examination : 20,753
- No. of cancers detected : 40
- No. of precancersdetected : 102
- Compliance rate for treatment of precancers: 50%
The Department of Preventive Oncology has been upgraded with a video colposcope, two LEEP &Cryotherapy units, especially for providing training in conduct of screening camps. The screening team is offered an intensive two weeks training at the Cancer Institute, through the various Departments. The Medical officers are trained for screening oral, breast and cervix – VIA, VILI, Cytology, Colposcopy and guided biopsy, Cryotherapy, Leep and Cone procedures. The Program Coordinator and the Social Workers are trained in organizing awareness and health education programs, screening camps, tobacco cessation education and counseling subjects and sensitizing the woman for screening and follow-up. The program coordinator will also be trained in record and data maintenance.
Health workers are trained for organizing and setting up of field clinics, screening techniques like VIA/ VILI, to teach Breast Self-Examination (BSE), to assist Medical Officers in the diagnostic procedures, maintenance of asepsis, bio-waste disposal etc. They will also be trained for field visits to counsel the subjects for screening and follow-up.
Teams offered training :
- Medical Officer-01 and Nurses- 02, Bhojay trust, Gujarat
- Medical Officer-01 and Nurses-02 – Madurai
- Medical Officer-01 and Nurses-02, Program Coordinator-01 – Tanjore
- Nurse and Social Worker – Sriperumpudhur
- Gynecologist, Medical Officer, Nurses and Social Worker, Tirunelveli
- Gynecologist, Nurses, Chengelpet
Research
HPV prevalence Study (2009-2013)
POPULATION PREVALENCE OF HIGH RISK HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV) INFECTION IN SEMI-URBAN AND RURAL AREAS ADJOINING CHENNAI, INDIA FOLLOWED BY ONE YEAR PERSISRENCE STUDY
Today, HPV infection is considered to be the major factor in cervical carcinogenesis. Since there was no documented data on prevalence of HPV in the community, we conducted a study to ascertain the prevalence of HPV infection in Tambaram and ChengelpetTaluks of Kanchipuram District, Tamilnadu, between 19.02.2009 and 31.12.2009.1525 cervical samples were collected and the overall prevalence rate of HPV is found to be 12.7%, the most common type being HPV 16(27%).
[read more]A follow up study to find the persistence of virus at one year interval was just completed and this will provide first such data in Indian population.137 samples have been collected (71% compliance for follow-up) out of which 38 (29.1%) are persistently positive for HPV infection. Genotyping of the positive samples showed type 16 to be the most common type.
Feasibility Study on USG Breasts as an aid in mass screening (2011)
A portable USG equipment has been purchased and a pilot program was completed at Pallikaranai screening clinic . All women between 30 and 65 years of age, attending the clinic are offered CBE (by MO) and USG breasts(by trained Radiologist) and findings recorded. A total number of 823 women were offered USG in the field clinic. Among them 650(77%) women were found to have normal/ benign breast changes and 183(22%) are found to have benign lumps. 7 cases were referred for further evaluation and were kept under follow up.
Satellite Screening Centers
The primary objectives are:
To setup a permanent screening clinic as a primary cancer care center in the study area.
Creating cancer and tobacco awareness
Providing early detection services for oral, breast and cervix cancer by organizing camps.
To provide training to medical and paramedical personnel from the study area in Cancer prevention and early detection at the Cancer Institute.
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Activities
The Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, will be the central unit responsible for training of personnel on all aspects of the program and handling all referrals for appropriate management.
Service
Counseling:
All tobacco users are offered counseling on registration during survey, at the screening camp/clinic and referred to Tobacco Cessation Center at the Institute.
Clinical Services Offered At The Outpatient Clinic
Mammogram and Ultrasound breast as required
Breast Self-Examination Demonstration
Colposcopy
Treatment for pre-invasive cancers - Cryo, Leep, Cone biopsy, etc.
Evaluation of Postmenopausal bleeding
Tumour markers for ovary and prostate cancer:
CA-125 and PSA respectively as and when indicated
Staff
Dr. J.S.Malliga
MD(O&G)
Dr. Premila Grace
B.S.M.S
Dr. A.R.Sarthaj begum
B.S.M.S, MD(S),
| NAME | EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION | DESIGNATION |
| G. Delmina Anitha | B.Sc | Social investigator |
| S. Karthika | M.Sc | Medical Social Worker |
| J. Cherryl Catherine Sharmila | MSW | Medical Social Worker |
| P. Vinotha | +2, HDCA | Data Entry Operator |
| C. Amsa | ANM | MPHW |
| M. Shakthipriya | ANM | |
| V. Priyadharshini | ANM |
Mission Statement
Accelerated Progress towards Cancer Control and Prevention
Preventive Oncology (Research Division) was started recently in the year 2012 with a goal of Research initiatives towards Cancer Prevention and Control.
The research set up is geared for Molecular approaches that can be effectively used for diagnostics and research purposes. The main focus of the division is translation of the scientific information towards reducing the cancer burden in the community. The department raises awareness and concern about cancer and believes and affirms its prevention and cure by early detection using molecular approaches. The scientific projects are aimed at identifying molecular markers that can aid in early detection, diagnosis of different cancers and help in cancer prevention. The department division focuses on multidisciplinary high quality molecular and clinico-epidemiological cancer research to determine the social, environmental and genetic factors underlying the high prevalence of certain important cancers like cervical, breast, oral and lung. The research initiatives are towards development of cost effective diagnosis and detection systems for their implementation in the hospital and community settings. The division is currently focusing on the clinical services pertaining to Human Papilloma virus diagnostics from the samples collected from the community and study of genetic susceptibility to Oral cancers with and without association to tobacco usage.
Quick Contacts
Please feel free to contact our friendly staff with any medical enquiry.
- Emergency Line: (044) 2220 9150
- No:38, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai - 20
- Registration Time - 7AM to 11AM
