Early Cancer Detection and Radiology Second Opinion

In radiology, especially MRI or CT scans give radiologists a rare view of the body where human eyes have ever reached. It means that a radiologist with proper skill-sets and experience could be the first to actually see the enemy cancer tumors on the screen. Logically, radiologists are first-in-line fighters as they report or set an alarm at the onset or prevalence of cancer in the body. Contrastingly, it's not the radiologist but superior radiodiagnosis skills that is wanted. Synergy of radiology opinions produce amalgam of wonderful skill-sets in reading doubtful cancer cases.

The science of cancerous cells is ever expanding. New discoveries, new terminologies and innovative therapies are the order of the day as cancer awareness spreads speedily across the globe. Governments, Public and Private Institutions are investing heavily in Cancer Research and Development. It is well known that the first weapon to fight cancer is Time. Early detection of cancers provide better scope for Oncologists to prepare better treatment plans for patients. Sometimes, the patient is given aggressive chemotherapy or radiation therapy to retard the cancer cell growth. With the advent of data sciences, Oncologists are also seen offering targeted immunotherapy. To be effective in cancer surveillance and treatment, even specialists are suggesting DNA Marker technology or Circulating Tumor Cell Detection Technology as a new approach. But radiology still remains the preferred choice.

The disease awareness cycle from a patient point of view, rarely starts with Oncologists. It starts with a 'manufactured will' depending on the advice from a referring doctor and conjoining radiological opinions, thereafter patients visit Oncologists or specialists. Patients act out of self concern or feeling unwell or acute sense of health-care or compulsions or rewards. Sometimes unusual symptoms or routine check-ups or accidental or deliberate visits to the doctor lead to early encounters of cancerous cells with a radiologist. Similar to the game of chess if we take good positions well in time, the victory is guaranteed. It's a game of probability starting with probability of visiting diagnostics - that helps in an early good position in the fight against cancer and make one victorious. There is a need for a deliberate or for incentivised plan for commoners to increase the probability of that encounter.

 Type 1 Encounter: Incentivised Self

For most of us in this category, it is possible to craft incentives for preventive radio-diagnostics. Radio-diagnosis increases chances of early encounter with cancerous cells. How to incentivise self? It is possible in many ways. Fortunately, with decreasing costs of MRI in some countries ( India, Turkey, Greece, Argentina), destination vacations are possible now. TeleradiologyHub Enablement Experts says, "A few concerned corporations are incentivising its middle Aged (40+) staff to go on destination vacations where medical benefits are clubbed with lovely sightseeing. It helps employees to remain happy and fit"

Along with TeleradiologyHub, there are other platforms who sell customized Medical Retreats that include MRI Full Body Check-up at exquisite locations in quite economical packages.

Type 2 Encounter: Disciplined Self 

The people in this category follow a disciplined routine when it comes to health. They do follow a diet plan, they exercise regularly, they do preventive checkups, they regularly meet doctors. Any diagnostic reading including MRI or CT or Xray scans that are alarming and seem out of the range' does prompt the local doctor to send the case to the specialists where detailed investigations can be again sought. In this case the radiology investigations are not mandatory but if done, they should be reported if not by a Senior Radiologist but then by a Panel of radiologists.

Type 3 Encounter: Accidental Self

People in this category are more common. They develop sickness. They feel unwell and usually approach local doctors upon any meaningful symptoms. For further investigations, local doctors either recommend specialists or request the patient to undertake pathological or radiological tests. Here the reading of MRI or CT or X-ray needs better radio-diagnosis skills as most of the cases are doubtful or on margin. Most of the time, such skills are rarely present at the diagnostic facilities. Even if present it needs a good amount of time on behalf of the radiologist to study images despite a busy schedule. Good thing is: radiology images have truth captured- they are storable and transportable, therefore it is possible to show the same images to multiple radiologists in just hours and get the report. Later, the opinions can confirm if to go for tissue biopsy or liquid biopsy. The need of treatment can be preempted with the right skills sets of a radiologists. Here the experience of the radiologist is of utmost importance.

Type 4 Encounter : Easy Self

While the majority of the people in developing nations fall in this category due to many reasons, they find it ungainly to visit the doctors for small complaints. In such cases, the encounter is a rather 'delayed probability' that gives away a gainful position for cancer to metastasize. Later stages, the patients sit with an Oncologist to work out aggressive treatment plans. Based on several factors unique to patients and advices, some plans are effective and cancer subsides. However patients will still have to keep visiting radiology units to track their disease. The radiologist(s) may confirm after imaging if cancer is tapering down or up. In these situations, Oncologists do prefer second opinions i.e. comprehensive and comparative study of MRI or CT scans over the time-period. Timely understanding and inspecting cancer spread is also called as 'Cancer Surveillance'.  Dr Sujay from TelradiologyHub says, "Comprehensive and comparative radiology studies require us to form International Radiology Panels. The synergistic views from experienced radiologists help in understanding the situation better thereafter it is possible to change the treatment plan for Oncologists. Interestingly, we can design - unique for patients 'Cancer Surveillance Plan', introducing non-invasive methods like CTC tests (Circulating Tumor Cells) to know the prevalence of cancer in blood cells. Actorius Innovations is our partner who developed OncoDiscover CTC Tests that we offer in our Cancer Surveillance plan (CSP)".

Interdisciplinary Approach is the best in Detecting thereby fighting with Cancer..

In all kinds of encounters, diligent study and involvement of highly specialized doctors improves diagnostic outcomes and alters patient management. Even when some experts can be relied heavily, situation demands unity in efforts.  At TeleradiologyHub, the experts who are trained in Breast Readings have shown higher competence in cancer detection compared to their general counterparts. However, for overall resolution at any stage of cancer spread, the interdisciplinary approach involving radiologist, onco-pathologist, oncologists, molecular biologists, data scientist and other specialists are must. They must come together to fight this menace. 

Should you need any help in CSP, please reach out to multi-specialist panel at TeleradiologyHub.