800 screened at SVIMS cancer camp

Tirupati: Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences(SVIMS) students, staff and faculty of physiotherapy, nursing and medicine took out rallies from Chandragiri, Rangampeta and Kandulavaripalli covering several villages en route to create awareness about cancer and its prevention among the people on the occasion of World Cancer Day on Sunday with the global slogan “We can, I can.” They have also conducted a medical camp at Naravaripalli Community Health Centre.

SVIMS Director-cum-Vice Chancellor Dr TS Ravikumar and Naravaripalli sarpanch Chandrakumar Naidu inaugurated the medical camp conducted for screening tests relating to cancer. Speaking on the occasion, Dr T S Ravikumar said diagnosing cancer at an early stage will help reducing cancer deaths. Mentioning ICMR projection of more than 17 lakh cancer diagnosis by 2020 and 8.8 lakh people dying of cancer, he said 50 per cent of death rate from cancer could be averted by screening and early detection.

For example, out of every two women diagnosed with breast cancer in India, one dies of it because of late diagnosis, he said. Using mammography, breast self-exam and periodic breast checkup, many cancers could be diagnosed in stages I & II with 80 per cent cure rate, he added. He also emphasised the importance of quitting smoking as it causes one-third of all cancers. On the occasion, SVIMS conducted a screening camp and over 800 people availed it.

Doctors of Government Maternity Hospital Dr Prameela, Dr K Sunitha, Dr Anuradha and PG medical students organised an awareness camp at Mangalam PHC in Tirupati on Sunday on the occasion of World Cancer Day. They explained about various types of cancers and the precautionary steps to women, ANMs and ASHA workers.