With an estimated 1.16 million new cases of cancer and 7.8 lakh cancer-related deaths reported in 2020, cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death in India. There is still a sizable unmet need for more potent, targeted therapies that can enhance patient outcomes and quality of life, despite advancements in cancer treatment. It is where precision medicine comes into play, giving cancer patients in India and around the world new hope.
Precision medicine: What is it?
A relatively new method of treating cancer called precision medicine considers the unique genetic and molecular characteristics of each patient’s cancer. The specific mutations or abnormalities found in a tumour can be examined by medical professionals to help them create more specialised treatment regimens that are suited to the distinct biology of cancer.
Traditional cancer treatment typically employs a “one-size-fits-all” strategy based on the location and stage of the cancer rather than its unique molecular characteristics. As not all cancers respond to a given treatment in the same way, it can result in less-than-ideal results.
How is precision medicine implemented?
Genetic testing is essential to precision medicine. Doctors can pinpoint specific mutations or genetic anomalies that may be promoting the growth of cancer by analyzing the DNA of a tumour. A customised treatment strategy that concentrates on these particular abnormalities can then be created using this information.
A PARP inhibitor is a targeted therapy that specifically targets cancer cells with BRCA mutations, for instance, if a patient’s tumour carries a mutation in the BRCA gene, which is frequently linked to breast and ovarian cancer.
Targeted therapies are one aspect of precision medicine. Additionally, it can be used to find patients who might benefit from immunotherapy, a cancer treatment that uses the immune system’s power to combat cancer.
Precision Medicine’s Role in India’s fight against cancer
Although it is a relatively new idea in India, precision medicine is gaining popularity as a promising method of treating cancer. More than ever, it is now possible to pinpoint the precise molecular characteristics of cancer thanks to the accessibility of cutting-edge genetic testing technologies and the growing understanding of cancer biology.
These days, many of India’s top cancer treatment facilities use precision medicine to create individualised treatment plans for their patients. Some patients have already noticed notable improvements in their quality of life and cancer outcomes as a result of this strategy, which has already demonstrated promising results.
Patients with advanced or difficult-to-treat cancers, who may have few other treatment options, stand to benefit the most from precision medicine. Medical professionals can create targeted therapies that are more effective and less harmful than conventional chemotherapy or radiation therapy by pinpointing the precise genetic or molecular abnormalities that are causing cancer.
Precision medicine may contribute to lower healthcare costs by avoiding ineffective treatments and procedures in addition to improving patient outcomes.
India’s best cancer treatment facilities
It’s crucial to seek treatment from a reputable cancer treatment facility that has experience using precision medicine and other cutting-edge procedures if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer in India.
The reputed facilities for cancer treatment have skilled oncologists, radiologists, and other specialists who are committed to giving their patients the best care possible.
Precision medicine is expanding quickly and aims to customise medical care to a patient’s particular genetic make-up, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Precision medicine is effective in the treatment of cancer, improving patient outcomes and minimising side effects related to conventional chemotherapy and radiation. With some of the best cancer treatment facilities in the world, India has emerged as a hub for precision medicine in cancer care.
India is not an exception to the fact that cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of death. An estimated 1.5 million new cases of cancer were reported in India in 2016, and the Indian Council of Medical Research predicts that the number will increase to 2.2 million by 2035. By providing more targeted and individualised therapies based on a person’s particular genetic profile, precision medicine has the potential to revolutionise cancer treatment in India.
One of the main benefits of precision medicine is that it enables medical professionals to pinpoint the precise genetic mutations responsible for a patient’s cancer. Doctors can identify the specific genes that are mutated in a tumour by analysing its DNA, and they can then determine which medications are most likely to be successful in combating those mutations. When treating rare cancers and cancers that have not responded to conventional treatments, this method is especially effective.
Precision medicine also has the benefit of minimising the side effects of conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The side effects of these treatments, which include fatigue, nausea, and hair loss, can harm both healthy and cancerous cells. By precisely targeting cancer cells, doctors can minimise harm to healthy cells and the possibility of side effects.
India has emerged as a center for precision medicine in the treatment of cancer, with several prestigious hospitals and research institutes providing cutting-edge resources and knowledge in this area. While there are many advantages to precision medicine in the fight against cancer, it is crucial to remember that it is not a panacea. Precision medicine treatments may not be effective for all cancers, and they can be extremely expensive for many patients. Precision medicine, however, has the potential to revolutionise cancer treatment in India and around the world with continued research and development.
In conclusion, precision medicine is becoming more and more crucial in the treatment of cancer in India by providing individualised and targeted therapies that can enhance patient outcomes and lessen side effects brought on by conventional therapies. Precision medicine is likely to continue to revolutionise cancer treatment in India and around the world with the development of new technologies and ongoing research. Consider hospitals and healthcare organizations that offer precision medicine as one of your treatment options if you’re looking for the best cancer treatment in India.
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