Handbook on Cancer Prevention Calls for Early Screening and Lifestyle Changes
A new handbook aimed at demystifying cancer and encouraging early detection was released on Wednesday at a national science communication conclave, as medical experts renewed calls for stronger prevention and screening efforts in India.
The publication, A Handbook on Cancer, Screening and Prevention, written by oncologists Dr. Leela Digumarti and Dr. Raghunadharao Digumarti, was unveiled by former Vice President of India Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu at the National Conclave on “Lab to Society: Role of Science Communication in Building Viksit Bharat @2047.” The event was organised by the Academy for Science, Technology and Communication at the BM Birla Science Centre.
Speaking at the release, Dr. Leela Digumarti said the handbook was designed to translate complex medical science into information the general public could understand and act upon. Cancer, she noted, is not a single illness but a group of diseases marked by uncontrolled cell growth. Early awareness and routine screening, she said, remain among the most effective ways to save lives.
The authors point out that cancer is now the second leading cause of death worldwide. While lung and breast cancers account for a large share globally, the pattern in India is different. Oral and breast cancers make up the biggest burden, largely due to widespread tobacco use and gaps in organised screening, Dr. Raghunadharao Digumarti said.
The handbook explains how genetic and epigenetic changes, lifestyle choices, environmental exposures, infections, and ageing contribute to cancer risk. It identifies obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use as major preventable factors, and lists common carcinogens including tobacco, alcohol, radiation, industrial chemicals, asbestos, and cancer-causing viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Papilloma Virus.
Special attention is given to cancers linked to HPV, with the authors stressing the importance of vaccinating both girls and boys, ideally between the ages of nine and 14, followed by continued screening later in life.
In the Indian context, the publication notes that population-based screening is currently recommended only for cervical, breast, and oral cancers. It also examines persistent challenges, including costs, infrastructure limitations, and shortages of trained health workers.
The book touches on recent advances in biotechnology, such as molecular diagnostics, targeted therapies, and the increasing availability of affordable biosimilars. It also underscores the role of volunteers in spreading awareness, supporting tobacco cessation, and facilitating screening, particularly in rural areas.
Describing cancer largely as a lifestyle-related disease, the authors call for greater emphasis on prevention through healthier diets, avoidance of tobacco and alcohol, timely vaccination, and regular screening.