A tool to Detect Colon Cancer

Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India has developed a sensitive tool that could be useful to identify colon cancer at a very early stage from body fluids like blood, urine, and faeces (stool).
Dr Tatini Rakshit from a recipient of the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship Award with her research group is behind this development.
About Colon Cancer:
- Colorectal cancer that affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum is the 5th leading cause of cancer death in India, mainly because of late detection.
- In the last decade, the country has witnessed a rapid increase in the rate of colorectal cancer among younger people due to poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity, obesity, increased alcohol consumption, and chronic smoking.
- The current detection methods need invasive biopsies, and subsequent evaluation requires special expertise.
The Department of Science and Technology has launched the “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)” program in 2008.
- Each selected INSPIRE Faculty shall be eligible to receive a consolidated amount of Rs. 1, 25,000/- pm.
- A Research Grant of Rs 7 lakh per year for 5 years shall be provided to each successful candidate.
- The INSPIRE Faculty Award is for a maximum period of 5 (five) years.