Early cancer detection drive begins in Malappuram

Minister for Sports V. Abdurahiman launched a people’s campaign that could potentially revolutionise cancer treatment in the district. The district-level inauguration of the campaign titled ‘Arogyam and Anandam’, meaning health and happiness, took place at Tirur on Monday.

The Health department has chalked out the year-long campaign for early screening and detection of cancer by bringing together the treatment facilities available in public and private sectors.

The campaign primarily focuses on encouraging people to come forward for early cancer screening and follow-up treatment so that the mortality and morbidity due to cancers in the State could be reduced.

Bringing in a behavioural change in people, encouraging them to prioritise health, and persuading all persons above 30 years to undergo annual cancer screening are the primary focal points of the campaign.

Mr. Abdurahiman said the campaign would focus on women in its first phase, dedicating the initial four weeks for cancers in women, especially cancers of the breast and cervix, which could be cured if detected and treated early.

Preliminary cancer screening would be available in all 855 health centres across 14 districts, and anyone who might require further tests would be followed up and given specific dates and appointment for them to do the tests. Health workers would follow up cases and encourage people not to drop out in case they required to undergo more tests. Mr. Abdurahman said that all sections, including civic bodies, would be made part of the campaign.

Kurukkoli Moideen, MLA, presided over the function. Tirur municipal chairperson A.P. Naseema, vice chairperson Ramankutty Pangat, district panchayat health standing committee chairperson Naseeba Azeez, Sub-Collector Dilip Kainikkara, municipal health standing committee chairperson Fatima Sajna, District Medical Officer R. Renuka, National Health Mission district programme manager T.N. Anoop, Tirur district hospital superintendent Aligar Babu, and Ardram nodal officer K.K. Praveena took part.