Breast Cancer Awareness Month: A New Dawn for Early Detection with NURA
Mr Masaharu Morita, Founder and Program Director at NURA
When October comes, it reminds every woman of the necessity in fighting a major health challenge, breast cancer. The period, observed as ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ and popularly known as Pink Month, normally witnesses a series of awareness campaigns that drive home the importance of adopting life-saving self-examination skills and early screening mechanisms to fight this silent killer. Such campaigns are indispensable in developing economies like India where late-stage diagnoses coupled with poor healthcare infrastructure lead to unfavourable treatment outcomes and high mortality rate.
The Rising Threat
Globally, the most prevalent cancer variant among women is breast cancer, which accounts for 25% of all female cancer cases. In India, the situation is more alarming. In 2022, India reported 1.41 million new cancer cases of which breast cancer represented over 26%. Undoubtedly, it is the most common cancer among all female cancer cases. The incidence of breast cancer has increased drastically over the past decade, particularly among the middle-aged women. Unlike in Western countries where the disease is more commonly diagnosed in older women, Indian women are increasingly falling prey to aggressive forms of breast cancer at younger ages.
Certainly, early detection can dramatically improve treatment outcomes. However, the daunting issue is that in India nearly 60% of breast cancer cases are identified only at Stage-3 or 4, significantly reducing the chances of survival. Factors such as lack of awareness, socio-economic barriers, and limited access to healthcare facilities contribute to these delayed diagnoses.
A Paradigm Shift
In this backdrop, NURA is a silver lining. It is an innovative AI-based health screening provider, which is setting a new standard in preventive healthcare. Born from a partnership between Fujifilm Healthcare and Dr Kutty’s Healthcare, NURA integrates cutting-edge Japanese technology with invaluable medical experience to create a comprehensive and patient-centric approach. This technology is reshaping the way the people address their healthcare needs by emphasizing the crucial role of early detection and intervention.
At the core of NURA’s approach is its AI-enhanced screening process, which will be completed in just 120 minutes. Utilizing ultra-low-dose CT scans, this method minimizes radiation exposure while maximizing accuracy. NURA’s commitment to patient comfort is evident in its streamlined process, which avoids the discomfort and preparation typically associated with traditional methods.
AI-Driven Innovation
The speciality of NURA is its advanced AI technology, including the ‘REiLi’ software. This sophisticated AI system excels in detecting abnormalities in imaging scans with exceptional precision. By leveraging advanced algorithms, the system can identify even the smallest traces of cancerous cells, making early-stage detection more accurate.
Notably, NURA’s AI-driven screening extends beyond breast cancer to include other types of cancers such as lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, and colon. For women, it offers a comprehensive cancer screening package that includes mammograms, CT scans, and AI-based analysis to identify breast cancer at its earliest stages. The non-invasive and comfortable nature of tests, coupled with prompt results, reflect NURA’s commitment to provide an accessible and patient-friendly model.
Challenges in Late-stage Detection
The alarming spread of the breast cancer creates a significant public health challenge. Early-stage breast cancer is curable, with a five-year survival rate exceeding 90%. However, survival rates fall significantly when the disease advances, with Stage-4 offering only a disappointing prognosis of 22% survival over five years. A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reveals that patients diagnosed at an early stage have a 4.4 times higher chance of survival compared to those diagnosed at a later stage.
Empowering Women
NURA’s screenings are not just about identifying potential health risks. They are about empowering people with the knowledge to take control of their body and health. It provides pre-screening counseling, personalized assistance, and post-screening support to ensure a thorough understanding of one’s health status. After screenings, patients have the opportunity to consult expert doctors who offer interactive, image-based consultations and personalized lifestyle recommendations based on the results. This holistic approach ensures that women are not only screened but also empowered to make informed decisions about their health.
Lifestyle Changes for Prevention
NURA also emphasizes the importance of having lifestyle changes in breast cancer prevention. Many risk factors, such as diet, obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, are related to lifestyle. By adopting healthier habits, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
The expert doctors provide personalized lifestyle modification recommendations based on screening results. Suggestions may include dietary adjustments, such as incorporating anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, and fatty fish, and maintaining a healthy weight through regular physical activity. Limiting alcohol consumption is also crucial in reducing breast cancer risk.
NURA’s health packages for men and women offer comprehensive screenings in just 120 minutes, focusing on the detection of lifestyle diseases and cancer, tailored to each gender’s needs.
Nura Women: Lifestyle Disease and Cancer Screening
The Nura Women package includes screenings for heart disease, COPD, osteoporosis, diabetes, liver and kidney health, as well as tests for blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, thyroid function, and vision and hearing. Additionally, it provides cancer screenings for lung, breast, cervical, colon, ovarian, liver, kidney, and pancreatic cancers, promoting early detection and prevention.
Nura Men: Lifestyle Disease and Cancer Screening
The Nura Men package covers heart disease, COPD, osteoporosis, diabetes, liver and kidney health, and screenings for blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, thyroid function, vision, hearing, and body composition. Cancer screenings include lung, colon, prostate, liver, kidney, and pancreatic cancers, ensuring a proactive approach to health management.
By addressing both lifestyle diseases and cancer, NURA empowers individuals to manage their health through early detection and comprehensive screenings, promoting better prevention and treatment outcomes.
Expanding Reach
NURA’s commitment to provide advanced healthcare is evident in its expansion projects. It brings state-of-the-art healthcare facilities to India’s major urban centres, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Hyderabad. The company is also expanding its preventive healthcare-based approach worldwide, with a significant presence in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Mongolia.
In conclusion, while breast cancer remains a major public health challenge in India, it can be addressed with early detection, increased awareness and lifestyle changes. NURA is leading the charge with its AI-based screening technology, ensuring that people receive accurate and timely information about their health condition. Here, NURA’s message is loud and clear: Early screening saves lives, and the time to act is now.
