Government multi super speciality hospital rolls out affordable screening for cancer

The Advanced Master Health Check-up centre of Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital (TNGMSSH), Omandurar Estate has launched a screening programme for early detection of cancer.

According to a press release, the centre, which was inaugurated on June 8, 2018, offers four types of packages – Gold, Diamond, Platinum and Platinum Plus at a cost of Rs. 1,000, Rs. 2,000, Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 4,000 respectively. Complete blood count, blood sugar, urine analysis, lipid profile, Liver Function Test, Renal Function Test, Thyroid Function Test, bone profile, ECG, ECHO, X-Ray, ultrasound, Dexa scan, eye test, treadmill test and lung function test are being carried out. So far, more than 75,000 persons have been screened at the centre.

With the incidence of cancers on the increase, the centre has launched a “Titanium” package to screen for tumour markers. TNGMSSH’s director R. Mani launched the new package on July 23. By conducting a simple blood test, occult tumours can be detected in its early stages before symptoms appear. The package costing Rs. 2,500 can detect more than 10 types of cancers at an early stage. In private laboratories, the tests would cost around Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000, the release said.

Titanium cancer screening package includes blood tests for tumour markers such as Prostate Specific Antigen for prostate cancer, CA 125 for cancer of the ovary, CA 19.9 for cancer of the pancreas, Alpha Feto Protein for cancer of the liver, thyroglobulin for cancer of the thyroid along with pap smear for cervical cancer and mammogram for breast cancer. An oral examination and doctor consultation is also included. An ENT specialist has been appointed for oral and laryngeal screening.

In case a person requires a follow-up test after a few months, the centre has customised the cancer screening tests in a way that the required test alone can be done, doctors said.