Screening camps to detect cancer early in men in Alappuzha district

As part of the second phase of the Arogyam, Anandam - Keep Cancer Away campaign of the Health department, cancer screening camps will be organised across Alappuzha district to detect oral and colon cancers in men, District Collector Alex Varghese has said.

He said here on Friday that clinical screening camps would be conducted under the aegis of primary health centres, targeting bus stands, autorickshaw stands, railway stations, government offices, resident associations, and men’s self-help groups. 

Men above the age of 30 will be screened. Those found with symptoms will be provided follow-up treatment.

As part of the campaign, pamphlets will be read out in mosques, churches, and other places of worship. Cancer awareness questionnaires will be distributed. A letter titled Achhan Ariyaan, designed to help recognise cancer symptoms, will be disseminated through anganwadis and schools in the district.

Activities such as anti-tobacco awareness, transforming schools into tobacco-free campuses, and establishing tobacco cessation clinics are also part of the campaign. 

Officials said the aim of the second phase was to ensure cancer prevention in as many men as possible.

In the first phase of the campaign, cancer screening was conducted among women. A total of 1,20,846 women were screened across the district and cancer was detected in 57 of them, who were provided medical treatment.