The Cancer Detection Abhiyan camps currently being held across the state have been able to detect a number of such cases at benign, pre-malignant or primary stages, making the treatment easier for both patients and doctors.
A Rs 3-crore mobile cancer detection van introduced by Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding, has been visiting various electoral constituencies in the state and checking up potential cancer patients.
Dr Jagdish Kakodkar, who is the nodal medical officer for the particular medical programme, said the people are more forthcoming to get themselves checked, when the van visits their constituency.
“Till now, the van has visited Mandur in St Andre constituency, Valpoi, Curchorem, Sankhali and Canacona,” he said, adding that the van will visit Curtorim from October
28 onwards.
The mobile cancer detection van has been in service for the last two months and has screened a total of 1,057 individuals, including 291 males and 766 females.
The reports of the individuals detected with cancers have been confirmed by teams of the Goa Medical College and Hospital as well as the directorate of health services.
The team in the van has performed screening for breast cancer with a total of 57 mammographies, including digital and sonomammography, with breast cancer detected and treatment undergoing/follow-up in two cases, while non-cancerous/benign bre-ast lesions detected in 55 cases.
Furthermore, screening for cervical cancer by PAP smears has been performed in 189 cases, with cervical cancer detected in early CIN stage in one case.
A probable prostate cancer has been detected in a single case.
It was also informed that 12 pathology reports of PAP smears for early cervical cancer detection, during the camp at Canacona are pending.
There is also detection of oral cancer – one case – and other 14 such pre-malignant conditions as detected by teams of the public health dentistry, Goa Dental College and the directorate of health services.
Dr Kakodkar said all patients are being followed up and treated by surgery/chemotherapy as per the advice of the specialist at the GMC, GDC, and district hospitals.
“This initiative of government is delivering tertiary level care right up to grassroots level, especially to the poor and deserving ones across rural Goa,” he added, pointing out that even the check-up reports are being sent through local health officers, so the patients or their family members do not need to travel to the GMC for collecting the reports.
Replying to a question, Dr Kakodkar said the target group for check-up for the cancer includes cigarette smokers and users of other forms of tobacco.
Article Credit: navhindtimes