Apollo Hospitals Group launches campaign to promote detection of cancer at its earliest stage

Chennai: Apollo Cancer Centre and the Apollo Proton Centre have announced a new campaign, titled “Zero to Hero”, with the objective of encouraging detection of cancer before it spreads beyond its site of origin. The initiative was launched to coincide with World Cancer Day and focuses on identifying cancer at stage zero, medically referred to as carcinoma in situ, where abnormal cells remain confined to their initial location and have not invaded neighbouring tissues. At this stage, treatment options can be limited to surgery or routine observation, improving the prospects of successful outcomes.

Medical specialists highlighted the gap in early diagnosis across India, where data shows that a significant proportion of cases are detected in advanced stages, increasing the complexity and cost of treatment. According to national figures, more than 1.5 million new cancer cases were recorded in 2024 and almost seven out of every ten were identified at later stages, when therapeutic options are more invasive and survival rates are lower.

Doctors involved in the campaign said integrating basic screening procedures, such as targeted blood tests and imaging, into regular health assessments could help identify disease before symptoms arise. Suggested measures include mammograms for breast cancer and prostate specific antigen tests for prostate cancer, applied selectively based on individuals’ medical history and risk profile.

Officials from Apollo Hospitals Group noted that the campaign also aims to strengthen the collection of cancer data and improve pathways for diagnosis and treatment, with the broader goal of enhancing outcomes for patients across the country.