Jammu, [Date]: The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC) in Jammu is set to become the pioneer health institution in the region with the introduction of a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) testing facility for the early detection and diagnosis of cancer.Official sources indicated that the NGS facility is slated to commence operations at GMC Jammu by the end of February, situated in the Microbiology Department, focusing on early diagnosis of cancer-related symptoms.Next Generation Sequencing is a cutting-edge technology providing ultra-high throughput, scalability, and speed. It is utilized to determine the nucleotide order in entire genomes or specific regions of DNA or RNA. Compared to traditional methods, NGS brings advantages in accuracy, sensitivity, and speed, significantly impacting the field of oncology.Given NGS’s ability to assess multiple genes in a single assay, it eliminates the necessity for ordering multiple tests to identify the causative mutation. Officials stated that the initial phase will see 100 tests conducted in testing mode, and based on the results, the facility will become a regular feature.Early detection of cancer is crucial for timely treatment and prevention. Dr. (Prof) Ashutosh Sharma, a prominent oncologist and the Principal of GMC Jammu, stated that the NGS test facility is expected to commence operations within the next two weeks, initially focusing on breast cancer. This facility will mark the first of its kind in the GMC for the Jammu region.Reports indicate that over 55,000 cancer cases were detected in Jammu and Kashmir in the last five years. Health Ministry data reveals a rising trend in reported cases, with mouth and lung cancer in men and cervical and breast cancer in women contributing to 50 percent of cancer-related deaths in the region.”More than 6,000 cancer cases have been registered at the State Cancer Institute Jammu in the last year,” official sources confirmed. The introduction of the NGS testing facility at GMC Jammu signifies a significant step forward in enhancing cancer diagnostic capabilities in the region, potentially leading to improved outcomes for patients battling this chronic disease.
