Programme for early diagnosis of cancer being done in 150 districts

A programme for the prevention, control and screening for common cancers like oral, breast and cervical are being implemented in more than 150 districts, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Under the initiative, front-line health workers, such as ASHAs and ANMs, are being leveraged to carry out screening and generate awareness about the risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the masses, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Virendra Kumar said in a written reply.

A programme for prevention, control and screening for common cancers like oral, breast and cervical are being implemented in more than 150 districts, Kumar said.

The minister said this initiative would not only help in early diagnosis, but also generate awareness on risk factors of the diseases.

About 27 erstwhile Regional Cancer Centres, which provide comprehensive cancer treatment facilities and carry out cancer prevention and research activities, will also participate in the programme, Kumar said.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has also been signed between Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and a non-governmental organisation, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai.

Both parties have partnered together in the implementation of the programme, including software deployment, for comprehensive primary healthcare that will provide continuum of care, he added.