Need to Shift Cancer Care Towards Early Detection in India: Dr. Keith Flaherty

Kochi: “Early detection is absolutely essential to better treatment outcomes. If cancers are identified at an earlier stage, therapies can be far more effective and, in many cases, curative,” said internationally renowned oncologist Dr. Keith Flaherty during his visit to VPS Lakeshore Hospital.

Dr. Flaherty was speaking after launching Lakeshore Yathra, an initiative focused on wellness and early cancer detection across the state. Speaking about the future of cancer care and the evolution of precision medicine since 2000, Dr. Flaherty, who is Director of Clinical Research at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Professor at Harvard Medical School, said India has significant potential to contribute to the field of precision oncology and targeted cancer therapies, but stressed that there are still important gaps in understanding the molecular profile of cancers in the Indian population.

Widely recognised for his contributions to precision medicine and targeted cancer therapy, Dr. Flaherty’s work has played a major role in shaping modern oncology globally. Presiding over the function, S.K. Abdulla, Managing Director of VPS Lakeshore Hospital, said healthcare institutions today must focus not only on treatment, but also on wellness, prevention, and early detection. “Through Lakeshore Yathra, we are trying to take healthcare closer to people and encourage regular screening and timely identification of disease. Detecting cancer early can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes and quality of life,” he said. He also highlighted the hospital’s recent collaboration with the Indian Dental Association for a statewide initiative aimed at improving early oral cancer detection by training dentists across Kerala to identify suspicious lesions and ensure timely referrals. Dr. Moni Abraham Kuriakose, HOD, Institute of Head & Neck Sciences, VPS Lakeshore Hospital, said Lakeshore is adopting a three-pronged strategy towards the early detection of cancer.

“Yathra includes screening programs for patients and family members visiting the hospital, population-level outreach initiatives for cancer and non-communicable disease screening in partnership with NGOs and workplaces, and the deployment of a mobile medical unit to facilitate diagnostic investigations closer to patients’ homes,” Dr. Moni said. Dr. Flaherty interacted with doctors and healthcare professionals during the event and shared insights on evolving approaches in oncology care, cancer research, and precision medicine. Jayesh V. Nair, CEO, VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Lakshman Sethuraman, Group COO, VPS Lakeshore Hospital, senior consultants, faculty members, healthcare professionals, and invited guests from the medical community attended the event.