The health checkups women keep delaying: The life-threatening cost of waiting

Most women prioritise family responsibilities and daily obligations, thus delaying much-needed medical care. In India, this nurturing instinct often leads to delayed consultations, missed symptoms and delayed preventive check-ups. Unfortunately, due to this delay, by the time many women seek medical advice, diseases are already at an advanced stage, which ideally could have been detected at an early stage and treated.

The scale of the challenge

These delays have serious effects. The Global Cancer Observatory reports breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in Indian women, with over 178,000 new cases each year. Cervical cancer is also a leading cause of cancer deaths among Indian women.

This situation is particularly concerning because many conditions affecting women are highly treatable when detected early. Breast cancer and several other gynaecological cancers often develop without noticeable symptoms in their initial stages. Mild or non-specific symptoms are frequently dismissed or attributed to routine health issues.

Awareness alone is not enough

Thanks to all the campaigns, public discussions and media coverage that have brought women’s health issues into focus, the awareness of these diseases is at an unprecedented level. However, awareness alone is insufficient. There is a significant implementation gap, as individuals may recognise the disease risks but, for various reasons, delay acting on these early warning signs.

Building body literacy

Empowerment in women’s healthcare begins with body literacy, defined as the confidence to recognise changes in one’s body and seek medical attention promptly. For example, a painless breast lump can be easily overlooked, and most of the time it leads to delaying consultation until a more convenient time. This can result in missed opportunities for early intervention.

The importance of regular screening

Regular screening is the key as it lets doctors detect diseases even before symptoms appear, leading to early diagnosis and better treatment. Everyone knows that tests such as mammography can catch breast cancer early, or a Pap smear test helps detect cervical cancer before it advances.

Unfortunately, in India, few women get regular screening. Studies confirm that fewer than 30% women do regular screening for breast or cervical cancer, despite increased awareness. This can be due to fear, family obligations or no access to affordable preventive care.

Diagnosis and treatment advances

In recent years, there have been significant advances in medical science, including cancer care. Technological advances in diagnostic tools, imaging and AI-assisted pathology catch even the smallest of abnormalities, enabling early detection. The slightest discomfort for a prolonged time should not be ignored, as it's important to remember that early identification of cancers leads to substantially improved treatment outcomes and better quality of life. For example, breast cancer detected at Stage I has survival rates exceeding 90 to 95 per cent.

Early detection also permits more conservative and less physically and emotionally distressing treatments. Techniques such as oncoplastic breast conservation enable surgeons to safely remove cancer cells without changing the natural appearance of the breast, thus reducing the need for aggressive treatments and minimising the psychological trauma of surgical procedures and prolonged treatment.

Acting in time

Science has advanced in leaps and bounds, but individuals need to understand that these advances only help when patients seek early interventions. Delays let diseases thrive, ensuring that treatment is longer, harder and recovery tougher.

Indian healthcare systems need to ensure that women feel supported when seeking treatment. Accessible screening programs, counselling services and women-focused health initiatives can help bridge the gap between awareness and action.

Three essential steps for women to protect their health

• Schedule regular screenings as per the doctor's advice, such as mammograms and Pap tests.
• Monitor warning signs and see a healthcare professional if symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks.
• Make preventive check-ups part of routine life, not just for emergencies.

Dr Niharika Garach, Consultant – Breast & Onco Surgery at SSO Cancer Hospital