Sunday Times 2
Rotary fights breast cancer with NCCP through early detection and prevention
View(s):October is designated as ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’, worldwide. Cancer ranks amongst the leading three Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Sri Lanka and is on the rise with over 15,000 new cases detected every year. Breast cancer has the highest incidence amongst all cancers and is the leading cancer amongst women in Sri Lanka.
Ten years ago, the Rotary Club of Colombo, launched their life-saving project for screening and early detection of cancer, conducted through the National Cancer Early Detection & Prevention Centre set up by the Club and operated by the National Cancer Control Programme of the Ministry of Health. This is presently the only facility dedicated to screening, early detection and prevention of cancer, offering services entirely free of charge. The Centre is supported by Corporate Partner, Dialog Axiata PLC.
In October, a series of breast cancer awareness building activities were carried out by the Cancer Early Detection & Prevention Centre, through the National Cancer Control Programme. The focus of the activities was to build awareness of the need for early detection of breast cancer through screening, to save lives.
An awareness booklet ‘ The Road to Cancer Prevention’ printed in Sinhala, Tamil and English, with a particular focus on breast cancer is also being distributed through the Rotary network of 65 clubs. The booklet is also being made available to the 700 Well Woman Clinics islandwide operated by the Ministry of Health.
Up to date approximately almost 35,0000 individuals, mainly women, have been screened at the Centre, and over 7,500 cases identified needing further investigation. The Centre operates a comprehensive cancer screening facility complete with mammography machine and ultrasound scanner donated by the Rotary Club of Birmingham Alabama, USA. A radiographer and radiologist are available at the Centre to operate this facility.
Cervical Cancer is screened through cyto screening and colposcopy machine recently donated by the WHO Head of Cancer Screening Section, International Agency for Research on Cancer. This facility is operated by a visiting VOG. An oral cancer screening unit for oral cancer detection is also operated, in view of oral cancer having the highest incidence amongst males.
Steps are underway to relocate the Centre at a permanent, more spacious building, presently under construction that will enable the Centre to handle the rapidly growing numbers requiring screening, as well as carry out more comprehensive screening and awareness building activities.