Early Detection of Oral, Breast, and Cervical Cancer
The global burden of cancer in India is amongst the highest in the world, and further set to grow five-fold by 2025. Presently, it is estimated that that there are 2.5 million cancer patients in India. Cancer prevention requires early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and palliation. If detected early, the probability of treating cancer is high. However, studies suggest that in India, 70-80 per cent of cancer patients are diagnosed late due to a variety of reasons. This late presentation of the disease is the primary cause of poor survival rates among cancer patients in India.
The Gram Shikshana Charity Foundation (GraSCF)’s project CanCare aims at early detection of oral, breast, and cervical cancer cases in 47 villages in the Hubli taluka and three corporation wards in the city of Hubli. The project activities comprise:
- Conducting awareness programmes in 47 villages and three corporation wards in the Hubli taluka followed by screening camps organised in those 50 areas.
- The screening camps consist of:
- General examination for males and females
- Oral examination for males and females
- Clinical breast examination for females
- Visual inspection of cervix with Lugol’s iodine ( VIA/ VILI)
- Patients without significant findings will be counselled on tobacco cessation by heath workers.
- Cases with suspected symptoms will be referred to cancer hospitals. These patients will be accompanied by health workers till the patients get accustomed to a hospital setting.
- After confirmation, the course of treatment will begin.
Established in 2008, the Gram Shikshana Charity Foundation primarily works on cancer-related issues. The Foundation has been effectively educating young industrial labourers, high school and college students based in Hubli, Dharwad, Belgaum and other rural areas in Karnataka, on the ill effects of tobacco consumption. The Foundation conducts frequent health- based educational programmes with prison inmates, police personnel, government officers and school and college teachers.
Through this intervention women from rural Karnataka had access to sensitization, screening, early detection and referrals for cervical cancer treatment. Total of 18 Medical colleges were involved in the project. 96 Post Graduate Medical students were trained in the screening techniques of Breast, Cervical and Oral Cancer. A total of 2028 women were given information regarding the cancers. Also, 862 women were screened for Breast and Cervical Cancer during this project.