Free cancer screening camps evoke poor response in Tiruchi; health officials blame it on ignorance, social stigma
Despite the growing need for cancer awareness and early detection, free cancer screening camps set up at the health centres in Tiruchi have evoked a lukewarm response from residents.
Aimed at screening people aged over 18 for oral cancer and women aged over 30 for breast cancer and cervical cancer and providing appropriate treatment for recovery, the camps are yet to pick up pace despite being launched on May 12.
According to M. Vijay Chandran, City Health Officer, several factors contribute to the low turnout. 'Lack of awareness about preventive cancer screening and its benefits is a major deterrent. Many people are hesitant to get screened for fear of diagnosis and social stigma associated with cancer.'
The screening camps are set up in all 18 urban primary health centres and 36 health and wellness centres in the city. Each centre has a doctor, four staff nurses, six urban health nurses, and woman health volunteers. Training sessions were conducted for the doctors and medical staff. Urban health nurses and woman health volunteers are engaged in a door-to-door awareness campaign to sensitise people and invite them to the screening camp.
With the data recorded in the Family Registration, which contains complete details of the persons in the family, their age, and other information, they reach out to the people and hand over invite cards. They are asked to bring the filled-in cards at the time of screening.
As of June 21, about 14,125 invites were given, of them, 6,270 people have been screened at the centres. Among the screened, 111 were referred to hospitals for diagnosing, but only seven had gone in for a follow-up.
'Biopsy for cervical cancer was done for seven patients and there are no confirmed cases of cancer. A follow-up to check if the patients had visited the referred facility for screening is planned,' said Dr. Chandran.
Steps have been taken to intensify the awareness campaign and enrol the people under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. The team has been instructed to screen patients enrolled at the UPHCs, beneficiaries of the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme, and Corporation officials and workers.
Special cancer screening counters have been set up at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital for a hassle-free treatment experience.
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