There are times when many health conditions go away on their own. However, at times wait could prove deleterious and fatal. Some diseases are such which warrant early detection and every effort is needed to figure out the problem sooner than later. Certainly early diagnosis is important, earlier the better.
The government informed the parliament that the Department of Health & Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States and UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), as part of National Health Mission (NHM).
Among others, cancer is an integral part of NPCDCS. The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion and awareness generation, screening, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility for treatment of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including Cancer.
A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs i.e. diabetes, hypertension and common cancers has been rolled out in the country under NHM and also as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care, the government stressed.
Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening for the three common cancers i.e oral, breast and cervical. Screening of these common cancers is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres. Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), included primary healthcare services expanded from selective to Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) inclusive of NCD services, closer to community. Preventive aspect of life-threatening diseases such as cancer is being strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre Scheme, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level, the government added. While the government initiatives are welcome, more is needed in terms of efforts on the ground. There is need for proper mechanism to ensure various schemes are realized rather than existing on papers.
The importance of early diagnosis and early treatment in certain conditions cannot be over-empathized.
Several of the diseases that cause sudden death in young can be detected by cardiac screening and treated before they turn into a tragedy. Similarly, when a cancer is detected at an early stage, the chances of survival are vividly higher than when detected at a later stage when the tumor has spread and the disease is more advanced. Also people need to take measures such as avoiding smoking, doing exercises and eating a healthy diet.
