Cancer Screening /
Saves Lives.
Know the Signs.

For colorectal cancer, average-risk adults should begin screening at age 45–50. For liver cancer, screening is risk-based and reserved for those with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B, regardless of age. Pancreatic and gastric cancer screening is not recommended for the general population; guidelines focus on individuals with specific risk factors or alarm symptoms.

The most important step is to speak with your physician about your personal risk profile — family history, lifestyle factors, and existing conditions all influence when and how to screen.

Most patients experience little or no pain during the procedure because it is performed under conscious sedation or general anaesthesia. The preparation the night before — a bowel-cleansing solution — is often described as the least comfortable part.

The procedure itself typically takes 20–45 minutes. You will need someone to drive you home afterwards due to the sedation. Most people return to normal activities the following day.

A positive FIT test does not mean you have cancer. Only around 5–10% of people with a positive FIT are ultimately found to have colorectal cancer; the majority have benign causes such as haemorrhoids, polyps, or small tears.

However, a positive result must be followed up promptly with a colonoscopy. Do not delay — this is how the test is designed to work, catching any problem at an early, treatable stage.

Yes. Chronic hepatitis B is one of the strongest risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), even in the absence of cirrhosis. The annual risk is estimated at 0.1–0.8% in non-cirrhotic carriers and rises substantially once cirrhosis develops.

International guidelines recommend six-monthly liver ultrasound and AFP testing for all hepatitis B carriers. Maintaining antiviral therapy and regular follow-up with a hepatologist or hepatobiliary surgeon is essential.

Occasional indigestion after a heavy meal is common and usually benign. The alarm features that warrant prompt medical attention include: onset after age 55, unexplained weight loss of ≥5 kg, progressive difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting, haematemesis (blood in vomit), melaena (black tarry stools), or a palpable abdominal mass.

If any of these features are present alongside dyspepsia, do not wait. Arrange urgent evaluation, ideally with an upper GI endoscopy.

Simple fatty liver (NAFL) carries a very low cancer risk. However, when fatty liver progresses to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and significant fibrosis (stage F3–F4), the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma increases meaningfully — and can occur even without established cirrhosis.

Patients with NASH-related advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis should be enrolled in six-monthly HCC surveillance. The best protection is treating the underlying metabolic risk factors — weight, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia.

You can register for an OPD appointment at AIIMS New Delhi directly through the hospital's online portal or by visiting the registration counter. No formal external referral is mandatory for OPD consultation at AIIMS.

Alternatively, you are welcome to use the contact form on this page to send an enquiry directly. Please include any relevant imaging or reports so we can advise appropriately before the appointment.

Please bring all recent imaging (CT scans, MRI, ultrasound reports) with the actual films or CDs — not just the printed reports. Bring blood test results including liver function tests, full blood count, and tumour markers such as AFP or CA 19-9 if already done.

Also bring a list of all current medications and their doses, any previous hospital discharge summaries, biopsy reports if a tissue diagnosis has been made, and a clear written summary of your symptoms and how long they have been present. A family member or close friend is welcome to accompany you.