Aster CMI Hospital, Datar Cancer Genetics launch Comprehensive Cancer Screening program
A simple blood test to diagnose 30 types of cancer
Bengaluru(Press Release): To commemorate World Cancer Day 2022, Aster CMI Hospital in association with Datar Cancer Genetics, a leading cancer research company launched Comprehensive Cancer Screening Programme today. With an aim to help patients detect cancer at its early stage that can save lives and drastically reduce the cost of cancer treatment, the hospital is bringing in EasyCheck360 (multiple cancers), EasyCheck FemmeSafe (women’s) and EasyCheck Prostrate cancer screening tests. EasyCheck is a revolutionary, radiation-free, globally recognized simple blood test for early cancer detection. It is clinically validated by one of the world’s largest clinical trials registered with the WHO clinical Trial Registry brought to you by Datar Cancer Genetics.
EasyCheck360 is a simple blood test that can detect more than 30 cancers. It is intended to be performed annually as a screening test, in individuals without any symptoms suggestive of cancer and aged > 30 years. And it can help detect cancers early that originate in the Oral Cavity, Lung, Breast, Esophagus, Stomach, Liver, Pancreas, Gallbladder, Kidney, Ovary, Cervix, Prostate, Bladder and specified Sarcomas. EasyCheck-FemmeSafe for women can detect cancers early that originate in the Breasts, Ovaries, Endometrium and Cervix. FemmeSafe is the outcome of intensive research efforts of the last several years by internationally recognized scientists and doctors. EasyCheck prostrate is a blood test that can detect Prostate Cancer and it is intended to be performed annually as a screening test, in individuals with no symptoms.
The technique employed is a proprietary technology which is a pathbreaking innovation, designed to detect circulating tumour cells (CTC) and their clusters before they become symptomatic or clinically detectable. The tests analyse CTC in the peripheral blood of an individual, are intended to detect the presence of malignant cells and have been clinically proven to have 88.19% Sensitivity and 99% Specificity in detecting cancer.
Speaking on the launch of the Comprehensive Cancer Screening Programme and the need for early detection for cancer, Dr. Vijay Agarwal, Lead & Sr. Consultant - Medical Oncology & Haematology, Aster CMI Hospital said, “In India, every year 1.2 million cases of cancer are diagnosed which accounts for 7,60,000 deaths. Due to changes in lifestyle as well as other risk factors, these numbers are slated to increase in the future. When cancer care is delayed there is a lower chance of survival, greater problems associated with treatment and higher costs. Hence, early detection and providing timely treatment are important which can significantly improve survival rates. Early detection of cancer requires early diagnosis and screening. Early diagnosis focuses on detecting symptomatic patients as early as possible, while this screening consists of testing healthy individuals to identify those having cancers before any symptoms appear. I am sure that with the launch of this Comprehensive Cancer Screening Programme, one can avail to undergo testing which can help diagnose various types of cancers at the earliest.”
Speaking on the launch of EasyCheck360®: Breakthrough in Early Cancer Detection Ms. Samara Mahindra, Director, New Cancer Initiatives, Datar Cancer Genetics said, “Cancer has become a chronic disease and one which can be treated successfully if detected early. The key to beating cancer is screening and early detection. Early detection will lead to a high chance of survival in most cases. EasyCheck360® is a breakthrough test and will go a long way in helping witness a cancer free India”
About Aster DM Healthcare
Aster DM Healthcare Limited is one of the largest private healthcare service providers operating in multiple GCC states and is an emerging healthcare player in India. With an inherent emphasis on clinical excellence, we are one of the few entities in the world with a strong presence across primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary healthcare through our hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. We have over 19,800+ plus dedicated employees across the geographies that we are present in, delivering a simple yet strong promise to our different stakeholders: “We’ll treat you well.” We reach out to all economic segments in the GCC states through our differentiated healthcare services across the “Aster”, “Medcare” and “Access” brands.
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Liberal approach must be adopted while considering disability pension to army men: SC
New Delhi (PTI): Observing that a liberal approach must be adopted while construing beneficial provisions, the Supreme Court has granted disability pension to an army man who was relieved from the service as he was suffering from "Schizophrenia."
The top court noted that the decision of the authority to discharge a serviceman is based on a medical report which is devoid of reasons.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and N Kotiswar Singh said the requirement to give reasons by the Medical Board is crucial, critical, decisive and necessary for granting or denying disability pension.
The apex court said it is not a mere formality, but a necessary material based on which the pension sanctioning authority has to decide about the grant or refusal of disability pension.
"Accordingly, in our opinion, if the serviceman is discharged from service or denied the disability pension on the basis of a medical opinion which is devoid of reasons, it would strike at the root of the action taken by the authority, and such action cannot be sustained in law.
"We, therefore, hold that if any action is taken by the authority for the discharge of a serviceman and the serviceman is denied disability pension on the basis of a report of the Medical Board wherein no reasons have been disclosed for the opinion so given, such an action of the authority will be unsustainable in law," the bench said in its judgement dated May 7 which was uploaded today.
The top court was hearing a plea filed by an army man challenging an order passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal, Regional Bench, Kochi, by which the appellant's claim for grant of disability pension was denied.
The petitioner was enrolled in the Indian Army on November 17, 1988, as a sepoy, and after serving more than nine years, he was discharged from service on being diagnosed with Schizophrenia.
His discharge on medical invalidation was based on the opinion of the Invalidating Medical Board held on March 30, 1998, at the Command Hospital, Western Command, Chandimandir which found that the onset of the invalidating disease was in August 1993 during which period the appellant had served in a peace station and that the disability was neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service and the said disease of the appellant was constitutional in nature and not connected with the service.
In its judgement, the top court said a much more liberal view needs to be adopted while dealing with the cases of discharge of servicemen from service on account of suffering from Schizophrenia as they may face several impediments and difficulties in proving the causal connection of the said disease with the military service.
"We must appreciate the fact that the provisions for grant of disability pension are in the nature of a beneficial scheme intended to provide succour to servicemen in hard times who have been discharged from service after having served the nation with dedication. Accordingly, a liberal approach must be adopted while construing such beneficial provisions," the bench said.
The apex court said in cases where the serviceman himself has not applied for discharge but has been discharged by the authority, the onus of proving the disability and grounds for denying the disability pension would lie heavily on the authority.
"Since it is the statutory requirement that the opinion of the Medical Board is to be the basis of the discharge, in our view, if the opinion of Medical Board is devoid of reasons, the act of the authority based on mere opinion sans reasons can certainly be questioned.
"According to us, if the decision of the authority to discharge a serviceman is based on a medical report which is devoid of reasons, which are required to be given as also mandated by rules as discussed above, such an act of the authority specially when it denies any post discharge benefit will be rendered invalid in the eyes of law," the bench said.
The court said it has noted that in the entire original record produced, there is no material for concluding that the appellant was suffering from Schizophrenia, which is in the nature of a constitutional personal disorder.
"Accordingly, we hold that the order of discharge of the appellant and denial of disability pension to him based on a medical opinion without providing full reasons to support the opinion cannot be said to be valid.
"The question which would arise for consideration now is whether we should remit the matter to the Medical Board at this stage for reconsideration in the light of our observations made above. We, however, feel that adopting the aforesaid course of action at this stage after about 27 years of the appellant being invalided from service on May 18, 1998, would not be in the interest of justice," the bench said.
The top court refused to disturb the order of discharge of the army man on the ground of medical invalidity due to Schizophrenia, but directed the authorities that he be granted disability pension with immediate effect with all attending benefits, as per rules.
However, the appellant will not be entitled to any arrears of invalid pension, except for the last three years, it said.
