It was a rainy day when I was walking on the busy streets of Parel in Mumbai, a bus stopped in front of me on which it was written “Cancer is curable if detected early”. The information I thought was ambiguous but to my surprise it is true. To a layman the word cancer may mean a pavement which takes us near death. But the present era of advanced technology for diagnosis and treatment which helps in early detection cancer can now be treated completely and give the patient a new life.

The most important thing is the awareness of every individual about the early signs and symptoms which will help a patient to fight the deadly disease. In scientific terms Cancer is uncontrolled proliferation of cells. As perceived by people it is not an infection and it does not spread from one person to other. Very few cancers are caused due to genomic alteration but maximum of them are caused by environmental causes which includes the lifestyle, habits i.e smoking, chewing tobacco, alcohol and the exposure to various agents which cause cancer called carcinogens.

The prevention is better than cure is best suited for the deadly menace. But when a person is already affected by cancer the patient is not only affected physically but also psychologically. It is not only the patient but also the family members who are affected. The big question is what next. Many questions are asked which signify the tension and stress the patient and family members are going through.

• Why I am affected, what are the tests to confirm the diagnosis?
• What is the plan of treatment?
• Is the surgery (if required) life threatening?
• What is chemotherapy and what are the side effects?
• Will I get back my hair after chemotherapy?
• What is Radiotherapy?
• Is Radiotherapy painful?
• Lastly the most commonly asked with maximum curiosity “Is cancer curable”

The advancement in technology and awareness among people help in early diagnosis and treatment. With the rich availability of recourses at present and also with vast ongoing research in this field the disease is no more a menace and it can be cured if detected at an early stage. The cancer treatment is a comprehensive approach with the combination of Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. The sequence of the approach is decided on the basis of site, size, type and distant spread.

I am making this effort as a platform to reach out to people who need the expert opinion regarding the cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.