Cancer is a leading cause of death accounting for 1 in 6 deaths. The key to survival is early detection. The K D Ambani Hospital in Gujarat along with Datar Cancer Genetics launched comprehensive cancer screening tests that can detect 30 types of cancer in the early stages in people 30 years plus. This is a simple blood test to detect circulating tumour cells (CTC) or their clusters before they become symptomatic or clinically detectable. They have an accuracy greater than 99% in detecting cancer early. Do we have this in Goa? No. Why? Because free water and free electricity are more important? Or because the politicians we have are able to discern only such freebies as important to life? With Assembly results now out, we will soon see a scramble for the posts of CM, Home Minister and Health Minister.
R Fernandes, Margao
