Cancer Screening of 3000 Rural Women in India (TN)

Report
State level Seminar cum Workshop on Cancer- A Public health issue in Tamilnadu
State level Seminar cum Workshop on Cancer- A Public health issue was conducted with School of Social work St.Xaviers college, Tirunelveli. 

In Tirunelveli there are over 7.5lakh Bedi workers who are rolling over crores of bedi every day, majority are women who are at risk. There is a need for intensive coordination to collaborate and engage multi-stakeholders to participate.

The program was inaugurated by Dr. Senthil Deputy Director Public health, Tirunelveli, he highlighted the need for creating more awareness, prevention, screening, early identification and treatment process. He also shared that the Government offers health insurance for the poor and needy people. Dr. Aruna Chandrasekar in her presidential address highlighted the need for early identification, continuum of care and need for follow-up to address cancer care services in Tirunelveli. She also shared her experience in Adyar cancer institute, Nellur in Andhra and also shared about the cancer care services in Tiruneveli through Nellai cancer care center. Dr. Sunderesan founder trustee of Gramaudhayam highlighted about their participation in cancer care, he also shared how his wife who died of cancer. He shared that he wish to engage and support for the cause. Gramaudhayam offers micro insurance products for cancer affected families upto Rs.10000 and facilitate free treatment. Fr. Anthonysamy Secretary of St. Xaviers college highlighted their commitment towards the cause.
The inaugural session was followed by technical session, shared by Dr. Nagalakshmi Asst Professor Tirunelveli Medical college, Dr. Abirami, Dr. Cynthia and Dr. Jayabarathi about cancer primary care, secondary care, tertiary care and narrated their experience in Nellai cancer care center.
Second Technical session was an inspirational session by the cancer survivors from Nellai cancer center, they all shared that quality care by Nellai cancer care center and its team, their motivation to survive, pain management were shared by them. Their sharing was highly appreciated by the participants who asked several questions about pain, treatment, coping skills, family support which are vital for care continuum and treatment compliance.
Dr. Arthi an Anaesthetist and Assistant professor from Tiruneveli medical college shared her experience on pain management for palliative care for cancer patients.
Group session was facilitated by Dr. Vidhubala with an interactive session reviewing the day long learnings and asked for an action plan for self and social action to prevent cancer care focusing on behaviour change from high risk to low risk and no risk. A group session was facilitated by Ramkumar for key action points for prevention, care continuum and other services. Participants in 4 groups shared their action points-
1. To conduct awareness cum screening programs for high risk groups with 20 NGOs in Tirunelveli and Tuticorin.
2. To conduct sessions for factory workers, unorganized and organized workers.
3. To collaborate with Nellai cancer care center for need based program, referral network and enable quality care services.
4. Participants also shared their personal action plans and commit for cancer care inline to World Cancer day oath, I am and I will.
150 participants from 7 NGOs, MSW students from 2 colleges had participated in this program. They were all awarded certificates by Mr. Santhanam, Trustee of Udhavum Ullangal who highlighted the organizations key activities in education, skill development and health. He also committed to collaborate with all the key stakeholders for cancer care.
Dr, Shayaraj, Professor & Hod of Social work and Mr. Paulraj had organized with the students along with Nellai cancer care center team lead by Mr. Satish Prabhu.
An action oriented seminar cum workshop had empowered the social workers to engage in cancer care, NGOs to include cancer prevention, collaborate with Government for eradication of cancer care services. A unique State level program was conducted with the active participation of over 150 participants from Govt health department, NGOs, Social work, Public health specialists, practitioners, cancer survivors had participated and shared their experiences. The program was sponsored by Hotel Janakiraman, India cements and Udhavum Ullangal.

World cancer day celebration
4th Feb

"I am and I will" Prevent cancer and support the cancer patients. 
Dr. Senthil, Deputy Director 
Dept. Of public health will inaugurate the human chain at Nellai cancer care centre 10.a.m. On Monday 4th Feb 2019. Please spread this news to support our cancer control program.in Tirunelveli district.

This year theme is 'I Can & I will"
World cancer Day program in Nellai Cancer Care Centre. Our team taking oath against cancer. Thanks to Dr.Balaji from Dept. of Public heath who has presided over the Human chain. Our special thanks to Pushpalatha school for sending their students.
India is possibly looking at over 17 lakh new cases of cancer, as per Indian Council of Medical Research
Over 8 lakh deaths related to the disease by the year 2020. 
India accounts for 20% of world-wide prevalence of Cervical cancer
India suffers from raising incidence of cancer at its 3rd and 4th stage, wherein the treatment and saving of lives become very challenging. 
“This can be effectively controlled through creating awareness, performing early diagnosis and providing treatment, so that precious lives could be saved. “

Prevention, Early detection of cancer and providing Treatment support

Background

India suffers from raising incidence of cancer at its 3rd and 4^th stage, wherein the treatment and saving of lives become very challenging.  This can be effectively controlled through creating awareness, performing early diagnosis and providing treatment, so that precious lives could be saved.  This has become more critical as the Indian Council of Medical Research or ICMR has recently projected that India is possibly looking at over 17 lakh new cases of cancer and over 8 lakh deaths related to the disease by the year 2020.  Studies have indicated that the mortality rate can be effectively reduced from 30% to 80%, using pre-screening and early diagnosis approach.

Mission of Udhavum Ullangal

Udhavum Ullangal has embarked on a long term program to reduce mortality in rural Tamil Nadu by pre-screening and identifying cancer cases early and subsequently supporting their treatment.  Over the last 8 years it has conducted 1339 camps in rural Tamil Nadu and screened 28,607 people, while creating awareness among 107,452 people.

85 cancer cases have been identified and 50+ are at various stages of treatment currently.  530+ cases are under high risk category, requiring constant follow up. 

Methodology and infrastructure

Udhavum Ullangal has established a subsidiary unit, “Nellai Cancer Care Centre” with the following infrastructure:

• Medical team including the Physician and Oncologist
• Nurses and medical laboratory technicians
• Well equipped cytology laboratory
• Medical van to conduct camps in rural areas
• Consulting facilities at Tirunelveli
• Video Colposcopy and other related equipments

Udhavum Ullangal has established a network of NGOs, using which it accesses and conducts screening camps in rural areas of Tirunelveli district,  primarily and also in adjacent areas.  Both awareness creation and screening take place in the camps for oral, breast and cervical cancers (by clinical examination and also through lab studies using VIA / VLI & Pap smear tests).  Identified potential cases are subsequently invited to the consulting centre for further investigation.  Subsequently Udhavum Ullangal guides and supports those having cancer abnormalities for further treatment.  Udhavum Ullangal also extends its support to those already diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment, by way of further diagnosis and better treatment.

A new initiative of Udhavum Ullangal is to provide Palliative Care, to those who are terminally ill and suffering from cancer.   This care, as we are aware, is in great demand among the poor and rural population, but the supply / provider of such care is less and rare in government and private sector.

Near Term Plan

1. Udhavum Ullangal plans to continue the current screening process and support the cancer affected, which costs approx. Rs.60.00 lakhs per annum. 
2. The Palliative care support needs to be expanded to cover more areas within Tirunelveli district. This includes providing home care service and also extended support during the weekdays.
3. Establishing a tumour board consisting of various specialities of cancer treatment for more accurate diagnosis and better treatment.
4. Expanding diagnosis and treatment support at Tirunelveli by leasing space in a leading hospital and supporting poor and deserving cancer patients.   Udhavum Ullangal will facilitate the patients in availing government aid and insurance.
5. Expanding the current nutritional assistance program to the needy cancer patients.

Long Term Plan

1. Expand the scope of pre-screening and diagnosis to other districts of Tamil Nadu.
2. Expand the scope of cancer treatment.
3. Construct a hospital at Tirunelveli to provide affordable and holistic cancer treatment, at our own facility (while availing government subsidy and insurance).  Land of 5.35 acres size has already been acquired.  Planning for the same has commenced already.
4. Spread awareness across State in a much larger scale, in our objective of effective early detection.

Requirements

• Financial assistance to continue the current program in 2019
• Financial assistance to expand the current program in other geographies
• Infrastructure support to construct the cancer hospital at Tirunelveli, for which the land is already acquired.

Inaugural session of two days advanced breast cancer screening program by Dr Hymavathy Rajee senior breast Onco surgeon from Bangalore organized by Nellai cancer care centre and Udhavum Ullangal. 70 health professionals including Drs, Nurses and Nursing students from Tirunelveli and Tuticorin took part.

Pink breast cancer awareness as been conducted on August month.

  
Awareness Camp in Gramaudhayam Melaalwarthoppu  conducted on   July Month No.Of.Person  Participated 150,  Type of awareness ORAL.

Screening & Awareness  Camp in Bank of Baroda in Palayamkottai .
screening Camp in Sattankulam  anganwati Centre. 

Cnacer awareness programe has been conducted for Equitas employees  at Nellai cancer care  centre.

We have Conducted 1203 camps and screened 26,188 people till date. About 83 Cancer patients are being supported and assisted for Treatment. 

One lakh people have been given awareness about Cancer.

Mukkudal is famous for Beedi rolling and the birth place for T.P.Chokalal Ramsait Beedi company. Cancer Awareness & screening camp and World No Tobacco awareness convention and oath taking conducted in Mukkudal on sunday 27th May 2018. We have started alternative employment training to Beedi workers through Grama Udhayam. Thanks to Grama Udhayam for their support.