Pune: Apollo Hospitals Pune, the city’s first 400-bed quaternary care centre, has announced the launch of its World Cancer Month awareness initiative, ‘Zero to Hero’, a campaign designed to highlight the life-saving impact of detecting cancer at its earliest stages.
The Zero to Hero initiative reinforces the hospital’s core belief that cancer is conquerable when identified early and brings together oncologists, survivors, and healthcare leaders to amplify the importance of screening, prevention, and timely intervention.
Through the Zero to Hero campaign, Apollo Hospitals Pune seeks to encourage individuals to move from late detection risks to early-stage diagnosis, where outcomes are significantly improved.
The initiative aligns with the broader objective of World Cancer Month – raising awareness about prevention, early diagnosis, and access to quality treatment.
Advanced Oncology Infrastructure Strengthening Zero to Hero Mission
Apollo Hospitals Pune’s Oncology Centre of Excellence offers comprehensive cancer care supported by state-of-the-art technology and multidisciplinary expertise.
As part of the Zero to Hero initiative, the hospital highlighted its advanced infrastructure designed to enable accurate early detection and precision-led treatment.
The centre is equipped with AI-enabled PET-CT technology for highly accurate early diagnosis, the VARIAN EDGE LINAC system for precise and targeted radiation therapy, and the Da Vinci Xi robotic system for complex cancer surgeries across urological, gynaecological, gastrointestinal, and head and neck cancers.
Backed by advanced diagnostics, precision radiation, and robotic surgery, the integrated approach spans early detection, accurate diagnosis, advanced treatment, and improved recovery outcomes – further strengthening the objectives of the Zero to Hero campaign.
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Speaking on the launch of the Zero to Hero initiative, Dr Manisha Karmarkar, CEO, Apollo Hospitals Pune, said, “Early cancer detection and prevention are among the most powerful tools in the fight against cancer. Early intervention significantly improves survival and reinforces Apollo’s long-standing belief that cancer can be defeated. However, screening only works when people participate.
Fear, stigma, misinformation, and lack of awareness often delay diagnosis. At Apollo Hospitals Pune, our comprehensive ProHealth programme, India’s first AI-powered preventive health programme, empowers individuals to take proactive control of their health through advanced screening and risk assessment.”
The hospital stated that the Zero to Hero campaign also aims to address psychological and social barriers that prevent individuals from undergoing timely screening and consultation.
Experts Highlight Preventability and Early Detection Benefits
Dr. Snita Sinukumar, Senior Surgical Oncologist and Robotic and HIPEC Specialist at Apollo Hospitals Pune, underscored the preventive potential aligned with the Zero to Hero message. She said, “Nearly 40 to 50% of cancers can be prevented or detected early through screening and lifestyle measures.
Tests such as digital mammography, Pap smear, low-dose CT scans, colonoscopy, PSA testing, and oral examinations can identify cancer even before symptoms appear. When detected early, survival rates can improve to as high as 80 to 90% or more.”
The Oncology Team at Apollo Hospitals Pune further added, “Many cancers can be prevented through lifestyle choices and public health efforts. Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, eating fruits and vegetables, sun protection, and vaccines like HPV and Hepatitis B are key.
Governments should ensure access to screening and health campaigns, while healthcare, schools, and workplaces promote healthy habits and provide guidance early age.”
The Zero to Hero initiative also stresses the importance of recognising early warning signs and avoiding delays in medical consultation – a pattern observed particularly in men’s health.
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Recognising Early Symptoms and Acting Promptly
Apollo Hospitals Pune highlighted that symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, unusual bleeding, new lumps, or a chronic cough lasting more than three weeks should never be ignored. While these signs do not always indicate cancer, early detection remains critical for successful treatment.
The hospital emphasised that cancers such as prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers may remain asymptomatic in their early stages. Under the Zero to Hero campaign, individuals are encouraged to undergo simple screening tests such as the PSA blood test and consult a doctor promptly if symptoms persist.
Modern interventions, including advanced robotic surgery, have made many early-stage cancers highly treatable or even completely curable.
Zero to Hero: Driving Awareness and Proactive Health Behaviour
Through the Zero to Hero initiative, Apollo Hospitals Pune aims to build greater awareness, encourage proactive health-seeking behaviour, and empower individuals to take timely action.
The campaign reinforces the hospital’s ongoing commitment to improving cancer outcomes through early detection, preventive health strategies, and advanced, technology-led patient-centric care.
