Oncologists reveal how delayed cancer diagnosis costs lives, personalised treatment brings hope

Benefits of personalised oncology: By tailoring treatment to a patient’s genetic profile, tumour characteristics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities, clinicians can deliver therapies that are more targeted, effective, and better tolerated (Image: Pexels)

India now carries the second-highest cases of cancer in Asia and ranks among the top three globally, with projections threatening further rise in the coming years. While genetics play a role, preventable factors such as air pollution, tobacco use, sedentary lifestyles, and poor dietary habits are driving much of rising numbers.

Apart from genetic predisposition, several preventable factor are key contributors to the rise in cancer cases. Dr Deleep Kumar Gudipudi, Senior Consultant and Head, Radiation Oncology,  Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Institute, Hyderabad, tells Moneycontrol, “Bolstering cancer care remains equally critical.”

Prevention remains a powerful tool. Dr Gudipudi, “Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying physically active strengthen the body’s natural defences. Vaccinations such as HPV and Hepatitis B, alongside timely screening, complete a simple yet effective strategy to protect against many cancers.”

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However, prevention alone cannot solve the problem. “Environmental triggers and inherited risk still play a sizable role, making timely access to effective cancer treatment essential,” Dr Anil Anand, Senior Director & Head, Radiation Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.

Certain cancers are rising rapidly. “Prostate cancer is now the second most common among urban men over 50, while head and neck cancers account for over 30 percent of cases nationwide. Late detection makes these cancers harder to treat, contributing significantly to mortality. This is where personalised oncology is transforming care. By tailoring treatment to a patient’s genetic profile, tumour characteristics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities, clinicians can deliver therapies that are more targeted, effective, and better tolerated,” reveals Dr Anand.

Even early-stage interventions benefit from this approach, enabling risk-based screening and tailored monitoring that allow earlier, more precise action. “Adaptive radiotherapy is a prime example of personalised care in action,” he says, adding, “Using real-time imaging and AI-driven insights, treatment plans can adjust as the tumour shrinks or shifts and surrounding organs move, ensuring maximum impact on cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.”

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According to Dr Gudipudi, within radiation oncology, adaptive radiotherapy adjusts the treatment plan as the tumour or the patient’s anatomy changes during therapy. “This results in greater precision, reduced impact on surrounding healthy structures and more consistent outcomes.”

Dr Anand highlights its impact on India’s most challenging cancers: “In India, where prostate and head & neck cancers often present late, such personalised approaches are especially impactful. Adaptive radiotherapy stands at the forefront of this personalised-care movement, refining existing therapies to match each patient’s unique clinical profile.”

FAQs on Cancer Treatment

1. What are the common causes of cancer in India?

Genetic factors, air pollution, tobacco use, sedentary lifestyles, and poor dietary habits are major contributors to the rising cancer cases in India.

2. How can cancer be prevented?

Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and vaccinations like HPV and Hepatitis B can help prevent many cancers.

3. Why is early detection important in cancer treatment?

Early detection makes cancer easier to treat and significantly reduces mortality rates. Personalised oncology and adaptive radiotherapy aid in tailoring treatment to individual needs.

4. What is adaptive radiotherapy?

Adaptive radiotherapy adjusts the treatment plan in real-time based on tumour changes or shifts, ensuring precision and reducing impact on healthy tissues.

5. How is personalised oncology transforming cancer care?

Personalised oncology tailors treatment to a patient's genetic profile, tumour characteristics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities, making therapies more targeted, effective, and better tolerated.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.