Understanding Cancer Screening: The Role of Tumour Markers After Age 40
Cancer screening after 40: Why tumour markers can create ‘more confusion than clarity’

Image: The Indian Express
Oncologist Dr. Tarang Krishna recommends five tests for individuals over 40 to prevent cancer, but Dr. Arun Kumar Giri cautions against indiscriminate use of tumour markers like PSA and CA-19.9, which can lead to confusion and unnecessary anxiety. Evidence-based screening should consider individual risk factors.
- 01Dr. Tarang Krishna suggests five tests for cancer prevention in those over 40: LFT, CBC, KFT, PSA, and CA-19.9.
- 02Dr. Arun Kumar Giri emphasizes that general tests like CBC and LFT do not specifically diagnose cancer.
- 03Tumour markers can create false reassurance, unnecessary panic, and overdiagnosis.
- 04Recommended screenings vary based on individual factors, including age and risk profile.
- 05An ideal health check-up should focus on overall wellness rather than indiscriminate testing.
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Dr. Tarang Krishna, an oncologist, advocates for regular cancer screenings for individuals over 40, recommending tests such as Liver Function Test (LFT), Complete Blood Count (CBC), Kidney Function Test (KFT), Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), and Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA-19.9). However, Dr. Arun Kumar Giri, Director of Surgical Oncology at Aakash Healthcare, cautions that while tests like CBC and LFT are useful for assessing general health, they do not specifically diagnose cancer. He warns that tumour markers such as PSA and CA-19.9 can lead to confusion, as they may elevate due to non-cancerous conditions, resulting in false reassurance, unnecessary anxiety, and overdiagnosis. Evidence-based guidelines suggest that cancer screenings should be tailored to individual risk factors, including age, gender, and lifestyle. Recommended screenings include regular mammograms for women, colorectal cancer screening for both genders, and low-dose CT scans for high-risk individuals. Dr. Giri concludes that preventive healthcare should focus on sustainable wellness and early detection of chronic diseases rather than blanket testing.
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The discussion around cancer screening emphasizes the importance of personalized healthcare, which can lead to better health outcomes for individuals over 40.
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