Cancer screening is often misunderstood seen either as unnecessary for the healthy or intimidating for the anxious. But advances in molecular biology, genomics, and non-invasive diagnostics are quietly
rewriting this narrative. Screening is no longer just about finding disease; it is about identifying risk early, guiding prevention, and enabling timely intervention.
Dr Bharat Patodiya, Medical Oncologist, Pi Cancer Care, shares modern screening tools are becoming simpler and more accessible. “We are now able to detect early biological changes linked to cancer development often well before the disease becomes structurally visible,” he explains. Advances in molecular diagnostics and genomics allow doctors to identify subtle risk markers long before symptoms appear.
One example is the growing use of digital, tactile sensor-based screening technologies such as iBreastExam, designed for mass population screening. These tools help stratify risk early and determine who may need further clinical follow-up. Similarly, molecular tests like Truenat’s HPV-HR Plus can identify high-risk viral DNA associated with cervical cancer, offering an opportunity to intervene before disease progression.
These non-invasive tests, Dr Patodiya notes, improve patient compliance, allow for repeated monitoring, and eliminate barriers such as discomfort or radiation exposure that often deter people from screening. “Early screening is no longer just about detecting disease, it is about risk prediction, prevention guidance, and earlier intervention,” he says.
While technology is enabling earlier detection, genomics is changing how we interpret that information. Dr Tushar Patil, Medical Oncologist, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Deccan, believes genomic testing is transforming cancer care from reactive to proactive.
“A simple genomic test can reveal whether an individual carries inherited cancer-driving mutations or help us understand the exact nature of a diagnosed cancer,” he says. This allows doctors to move away from a one-size-fits-all treatment plan to one that is more precise, targeted, and effective with fewer side effects.
For individuals without a diagnosis, genomics plays an equally powerful preventive role. Early identification of genetic risk can prompt lifestyle changes, structured screenings, and preventive interventions well before disease onset. For families with a history of cancer, this information can be life-changing.
However, Dr Patil cautions against misunderstanding the role of genomics. “Genomics is not a verdict; it is a tool. Having a genetic predisposition does not mean a person will develop cancer, and lacking one does not guarantee immunity. The value lies in informed decision-making between patient and doctor.”
As these technologies become more accessible across India, the combined approach of non-invasive screening and genomic insight is reshaping the cancer conversation. What was once about detecting illness is now about understanding risk, enabling prevention, and personalising care.
A simple test today may not just detect disease tomorrow, it may prevent it altogether.
