Virtus Health Services India (VHSI) has launched the O-Test, a non-invasive early stage detection test for oral cancer in Mumbai. The O Test is supported by Virtus’ highly advanced automated screening software. This software designed by senior pathologists and applied to the entire process right from case history to medical examination and microscopic slide viewing, offers higher accuracy and speed of results generation.
In India itself, 23 per cent of all cancer deaths recorded are from oral cancers. O Test is expected to significantly reduce the rate of morbidity and mortality from oral cancer. VHSI, a Kuwait-based medical technology products and services firm entered India in November last year in order to service the significantly untapped market potential for cutting edge healthcare services supported by world class technology.
During the launch, Sunil Ikhe, Operations Director and Country Head, VHSI said, “VHSI is committed to empowering the Indian population with access to the best and latest global healthcare technologies so that they can make responsible choices for personal health. Given the significant morbidity and mortality associated with advance stage oral cancer, there has been a compelling need to provide doctors with an accurate and easy access diagnostic technique for early detection of oral cancer or even identity those at high risk. The O Test addresses this critical requirement at costs highly affordable and accessible to all sections of society.”
Further, he also announced that the O Test retails for Rs 850 only. VHSI also partnered with the Cancer Aid Society to offer corporates the opportunity to join hands with them on taking up the cause of early detection of oral cancer as a CSR initiative. OP Berry, Member and Director General, Cancer Aid Society said, “The reason why the incidence of oral cancer is high in India because gutka, pan masalas and other tobacco products have been promoted as family products here.”
Citing few examples of mass media advertisements that are widely aired on Indian television Berry went on to say, “Cancer means ‘can survive if detected early’ and the past 27 years our NGO has been trying to spread this word across India. We are pleased to lend our support to this initiative and through awareness of the O Test we hope that people are motivated to go get tested at the earliest. We also encourage the corporate community to support this initiative as part of their CSR obligations.”
Adding to this, Dr Dinesh Rajput, whose paper on this subject has won the gold medal is an Associate Professor, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Medical & Rural Development Foundation’s Dental College & Hospital said, “Oral cancer spreads very rapidly as compared to other cancers. In India, five years survival rate is less than 50 per cent despite so many technological advances made in the field. The high mortality rate from oral cancer is due to several factors, but undoubtedly, the most significant is delayed diagnosis. The survival and cure rate dramatically increase when oral cancer is detected in its pre-cancerous or early disease stages.”
The O test has already been run on a pilot basis as an internal employee health benefit with some prominent corporates in India such as Edelweiss and Just Dial. In the roll out phase, a total of over 600 employees have been administered the O Test. The screening of the oral cavity works on two principles- first is a five minute visual examination of oral cavity and identification of susceptible areas, if any which is conducted by qualified dental medical professionals. This is followed by the brush test, a non-invasive, painless, bloodless procedure which does not need local anaesthesia. The cells acquired on the brush are transferred to a microscopic slide for staining which is further analysed for cell abnormalities using the PAP SMEAR method. If any legions found suspicious or the cells are detected abnormal, the further tests are advised.
Present at the launch, Dr SM Inamdar, Consulting Pathologist and Director, Diagno Medical Health Services said, “I have been associated with O Test from the very first day as I strongly believe that this test is going to be crucial in saving lives. The O Test is immensely beneficial as it would significantly cut down the mortality rates and ensure that patients are afforded a better quality of life with early testing. Globally this test is widely used and I am pleased that this test has now been brought to India.”
When asked about how this screening test will be affordable to lower income groups, Dr Rajput replied, “A normal biopsy cost around Rs 3000, whereas the O Test cost Rs 850 only. At most time when a doctor identifies a legion, he or she will direct a patient for biopsy. In this case when a patient is screened using O Test, the doctor decided whether a patient requires a biopsy further. This reduces the cost completely.” Ikhe adding to this said that VHSI will be partnering with corporate, governments, housing societies and NGOs to conduct screening camps where they would be providing the tests on subsidised rates.
At the end, Ikhe also announced that apart from the test being available at hospitals and dental clinics, the O Test is available for purchase at chemists across Mumbai in the form of a gift card. He also added that this test kit is first launched in Mumbai and then it will launched in Aurangabad and Marathwada districts of Maharashtra before venturing into other states.
Prashant Shah, CEO, ATOR Healthcare and distributors of O Test in India informed that out of 6500 chemists in Mumbai this testing kit will be offered to only A+ and A certified chemist.
EH News Bureau
