First level examination as part of cancer screening programme over in 12% of population in Andhra Pradesh, says official

The first-level examination being conducted as part of the cancer screening programme has been completed in 48 lakh out of around four-crore population aged above 18 in Andhra Pradesh.

As per information from the Health Department, ASHA workers and ANMs are on a door-to-door survey as part of the programme.

The State-wide exercise, launched by Health Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav on November 14, 2024, is aimed at creating awareness among the people about the importance of timely detection and treatment.

“Physical examination has been completed in 12% of the 18+ population across the State,” says State Nodal Officer, Health and Wellness Centre, D.D. Syamala.

The screening programme has been divided into three levels. At the first level, ANMs, ASHA workers and Community Health Officers (CHOs), trained for the purpose, visit every house, take down basic health details of the inhabitants, conduct physical examination for breast and oral cancers for those aged above 18, give a symptom questionnaire to them and motivate women aged above 30 to go for cervical cancer screening at their nearest Village Health Clinic (VHC).

At the second level, those showing symptoms will be referred to a medical officer at the VHC, who examines their symptoms and refers those needing more tests to the mapped medical colleges.

At the third level, those referred to the medical colleges will undergo further examination. Those needing treatments will be sent to the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Visakhapatnam.

“We have set up preventive oncology units at all the medical colleges in the State. Specialists will be available in the colleges on every Tuesday and Thursday to re-examine the referred patients,” Ms. Syamala says, adding that a green channel has been created for the referred patients so that they do not have to wait. The results of the tests will be available within five days.

“Since the commencement of the referral process 15 days ago, there have been seven confirmed oral cancer, three breast cancer and six cervical cancer cases. All of them are undergoing treatment,” she says.

The exercise is expected to go on for six to nine months.