‘Up to 50% lung cancer cases detected after initial treatment of tuberculosis’

Only 20% of cancer patients approach doctors for treatment in first or second stage, while the rest reach in third or fourth stage PROF MLB BHATT, HoD Radiotherapy, KGMU

LUCKNOW: Incorrect diagnosis is leading to delay in lung cancer treatment in many patients, not just by few weeks but months. As a result, the cases become critical, said experts at the 27th annual conference of association of radiation oncologists of India that concluded on Sunday.

“Up to 50% cases of lung cancer are detected after initial treatment of tuberculosis. This means delay by three or four months,” said Prof MLB Bhatt, HoD radiotherapy at King George’s Medical University.

He said confusion between tuberculosis and cancer was leading to such cases which if treated on time could give better results.

Statistically, only 20% of cancer patients in India approach doctors for treatment in first or second stage, while the rest reach in third or fourth stage -- leaving little hope for recovery. And confusion is one big reason, he added.

About 6 lakh cancer patients die every year in the country. If patients come at early stage these deaths could be reduced. Of these 6 lakh deaths, 40% are tobacco related cancers while 20% are infective diseases. There are over 33 lakh cancer patients in the country at present and every year about 11.5 lakh are added. Majority of these patients come at third or fourth stage.

“Focus upon awareness can certainly bring down cancer cases,” said Dr Madup Rastogi, organising secretary of the event.

Experts said that cases of other types of cancer such as cervix, oral cancer was also growing in number and attention was required towards its prevention.