A free screening camp for women at Kadiri covering clinical breast examination, cervical screening and oral examination. Both breast and cervical cancer are highly treatable when found early, and both still present late in this district.
Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among women in India and cervical cancer remains one of the most common in rural districts, despite being preventable through screening and vaccination. The obstacle in both cases is rarely the treatment — it is that women present after the disease has advanced.
The camp offered clinical breast examination, cervical screening with a Pap smear, and examination of the mouth, with counselling and onward referral for anyone with an abnormal finding. Women were also taught breast self-examination and what specifically to look for: a lump, a change in breast shape, skin dimpling, a newly inverted nipple or blood-stained discharge.
A recurring message was that a painless lump is not a reassuring lump. Many women delay because there is no pain, and by the time discomfort appears the disease is harder to treat. Any new breast lump warrants assessment, not observation.
The team also explained the warning signs of cervical cancer — bleeding after intercourse, bleeding between periods, and any bleeding at all after menopause — and the role of HPV vaccination for eligible girls and young women.
Women who need mammography, biopsy or specialist consultation after screening can arrange it through /book-an-appointment. Camp details are available at /contact-us.