SRL launches test to detect breast cancer

Super Religare Laboratories (SRL), India’s largest diagnostics network, today launched a cancer detection test service, Bctect, that can predict occurrence of breast cancer even before the symptoms surface.

SRL, which joined hands with Norwegian company Diagenic, claims that this is the world’s first commercial launch of such a service. The existing detection tests such as mammogram are done only after the symptoms appear.

Though there is no medical treatment available to avoid occurrence of breast cancer, individuals who test positive can change food habits to delay its onset and also can go in for early treatment when symptoms surface, say company officials. Fortis Hospitals, a hospital chain owned by SRL promoters, is also planning to offer an early treatment option for breast cancer, the company added.

SRL is hoping to generate Rs 20-25 crore in the first year itself, as breast cancer is the leading killer among all cancer diseases in India. The test service enjoys patent protection in India and will cost Rs 14,000 for a single test, SRL CEO Sanjeev K Chaudhry said.

However, the prices will go down once the number of tests increases, he added. The company received marketing approval for Bctect after clinical trials on 750 women enrolled in nine clinical trial centres across the country found the technology to be very effective.