Breast cancer brigade launched in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: Kannur based NGO, Malabar Cancer Care Society's (MCCS) pilot initiative for early detection of breast cancer and village level mammogram test camps, named 'Breast Cancer Brigade', has been launched in Kozhikode Corporation and five grama panchayats in Kannur. The project, with volunteers from Kudumbashree and women workers of Student Police Cadets, ASHA, Ankanwadi and NSS students, envisions enabling women, especially village folk, to examine breasts and determine cancer their own.

The volunteers will visit the households and teach each woman to examine their breasts. "Early detection is the key in fighting cancer. Mammogram tests will be conducted with the help of Sanjeevani tele-medicine unit of the MCCS," said D. Krishnanadha Pai, president of MCCS. Already 900 volunteers had completed training, which includes 180 volunteers in Kozhikode Corporation. In Corporation limits, Kudumbashree workers had started house visit in 17 coastal wards to take home the message.

"Coastal wards are having more cases of cancer. Besides training women on self examination, the volunteers will collect details of both breast cancer and cervical cancer cases. The programme is being implemented as a part of 'Jeevanam', the cancer care programme of Corporation and Kudumbashree Community Development Society," said M.V. Ramzi Ismayil, Kudumbashree project officer. Following the identification of cancer cases, a mega medical camp would be conducted after dividing Corporation into three sections, viz., North, South and Centre. Following the camp, another screening camp would be held and patients identified from there will be provided free treatment with the support of MCCS. In Kannur, the five grama panchayats selected for the project are Munderi, Chembilode, Peralasserry, Kolasserry and Kadambur which comes under Edakkad block panchayat.