Was Reading the Article by Dr. C. Aravinda on the Topic 📌 Should cancer be a notifiable disease ?
Where he finely argued the pros and cons regarding the issue.Over last fifty years Cancer has become a major public health challenge in Perspective of India. There is a rising incidence and mortality rates due to Cancer .
There have been recent debates on whether cancer should be designated as a notifiable disease or not. Disease notification in India aims to control contagious diseases. Cancer notification isn't straightforward. Cancer is :
🔸- Not contagious
🔸- Doesn't require immediate public health action
🔸- A diverse group of diseases
🔸- Complex diagnosis procedures
On the other hand, A notifiable disease is one that legally requires reporting to government authorities. This ensures effective monitoring, early detection of outbreaks, and timely intervention to control its spread.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) International Health Regulations (1969) mandate the reporting of diseases for global surveillance and advisory purposes.
✅ Notifying cancer cases can have several benefits :
🔸Epidemiological tracking :
Reporting cancer cases helps in monitoring the Incidence and Prevalence of different types of cancer. This helps policymakers to allocate resources and funds effectively.
🔸Early detection and treatment :
Proper Notification procedures can lead to early detection and treatment. This in tern improves survival rates and quality of life for patients.
🔸Research and development :
Accurate database on cancer cases can facilitate research, help scientists understand the causes, develop new treatments, and improve existing drugs .
🔸Public awareness and education :
Notification can raise awareness about cancer, its risk factors, and the importance of screening, promoting preventive measures and early detection.Over all Health Education can be possible
✅ However, there are also concerns of Making Cancer as notifiable disease :
🔸 Loss of Patient confidentiality :
As notifiable disease includes the diseases that poses significan Public Health problems, making Cancer a Notifiable disease may compromise patient confidentiality, potentially leading to stigma or discrimination .
🔸Data accuracy and security :
Ensuring the accuracy and security of notified data is crucial to maintaining trust and preventing misuse.
🔸Resource allocation :
Notification systems require resources, which may divert attention and funding from other important healthcare areas.
As article says, India's National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), launched in 1982, collects vital data on cancer patients, including diagnosis, treatment, and survival.
It currently has 269 hospital-based and 38 population-based registries, but expansion is needed. The program should extend to all cancer-treating hospitals and establish registries in every district to enhance nationwide cancer surveillance.
