Principal Director & Unit Head - Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, India
Series overview · 8 articles
Diagnosis and Detection of Cancer
May 19, 2024
Cancer carries more myths than almost any other disease, and clearing them up is often the first real step in diagnosing it early. Dr. Mohit Agarwal, Principal Director & Unit Head, Medical Oncology at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, used his Jivo Masterclass to walk through common misconceptions about who gets cancer, the seven warning signs, how cancer is diagnosed and staged, the range of modern treatment modalities, and the specific prognostic and treatment questions that come up most often in breast cancer.
What this series covers
This series works through common cancer myths (family history, prior health, one-size-fits-all treatment), the single biggest risk factor across every population, the seven warning signs that should prompt a doctor visit, how biopsy, tumour markers and staging are used to diagnose and classify cancer, the modern treatment toolkit from chemotherapy through targeted therapy and immunotherapy, specific breast cancer prognosis and treatment questions, and the role nutrition plays in cancer care.
This article is based on a Jivo Masterclass session conducted by Dr. Mohit Agarwal, Principal Director & Unit Head, Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi. The article has been summarised with the assistance of an AI tool from the original masterclass recording. Watch the full Masterclass recording
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This guide is based on a live Jivo Masterclass: Dr. Mohit Agarwal taught doctors across Africa on May 19, 2024.
FROM THE LIVE Q&A
Moderator
Why order a genetic test for a patient who already has cancer? Will it help the prognosis?
Dr. Mohit Agarwal
It helps in three ways: it may reveal specific therapies available only for that patient, it tells you whether other family members are at risk, and it tells you whether that individual has a tendency to develop cancer in another part of the body.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can testing for tumour markers be used as a screening test for cancer in a general patient checkup?▼
No - tumour markers are not specific to cancer and can be raised in non-cancerous situations too, so they should not be used as a screening tool. In a patient already diagnosed with cancer, however, they are useful for monitoring the disease.
What is the current management strategy for colorectal cancer?▼
First, a biopsy to understand what type of cancer it is. Second, a PET-CT scan to determine whether it is stage one, two, three or four. If it is stage one to three, the patient may go for surgery with further treatment based on the report; stage four generally starts with medical management first.
How can we bring cancer diagnostics down to the local level?▼
Only through education and awareness. If patients know the seven warning signs of cancer, they will talk to their doctor and undertake screening, which brings cancer diagnosis down to the local level and enables earlier treatment.
To prevent cancer death and increase early treatment, what can be done to detect and diagnose cancer?▼
The same principle applies: go for screening, be aware of the warning signs, and maintain a healthy lifestyle - regular exercise, no tobacco, minimal alcohol and a balanced diet. Doing these things means you will either not develop cancer or you will catch it early.
What are the risks of working in a close environment to chemotherapy?▼
Chemotherapy, if not handled properly, can be toxic to people nearby. It has to be prepared in a specific mixing unit with proper precautions, and only staff trained in handling and administering chemotherapy should give it.
What does this masterclass series cover?▼
Common cancer myths, risk factors, the seven warning signs, diagnosis via biopsy and tumour markers, staging, modern treatment modalities, breast cancer prognosis questions, and nutrition in cancer care.
Who is Dr. Mohit Agarwal?▼
Principal Director & Unit Head, Medical Oncology at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi.
In This Series: Diagnosis and Detection of Cancer
- 1.Diagnosis and Detection of Cancer
- 2.Cancer Myths: Family History, Genetic Testing and Who Gets Cancer
- 3.Smoking and Other Major Cancer Risk Factors
- 4.The Seven Warning Signs of Cancer and How Biopsy Works
- 5.Cancer Staging, Tumour Markers and Screening Explained
- 6.Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy Explained
- 7.Breast Cancer: Prognostic Factors and Treatment Sequencing
- 8.The Role of Nutrition in Cancer Prevention and Care