Report on World Cancer Day 2021

World Cancer Day every 4 February is the global uniting initiative to raise worldwide awareness, improving education and catalyzing personal, collective and government action, for reducing preventable cancer deaths. This year’s World Cancer Day’s theme, ‘I Am and I Will’, is all about you and your commitment to act. On this occasion, Team AIIMS Mangalagiri from Department of ENT, General Surgery, Dentistry, Dermatology, OBG, Radiology & Community and Family Medicine conducted various activities in OPD and field area (Ratnala Cheruvu, Mangalagiri), IEC pamphlets were also distributed. Community members were screened for Warning signs of cancer i.e. Change in bowel or bladder habits, A sore that does not heal, Unusual bleeding or discharge, Thickening or a lump in the breasts, testicles, or elsewhere, Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing, Obvious change in the size, color, shape, or thickness of a wart, mole, or mouth sore and Nagging cough or hoarseness.

Screening for various cancers & Sensitization of patients was done by the videos. Awareness on head and neck, breast and cervical cancers was given including harmful effects of tobacco with emphasis on identification and self-examination. The program was well received and multiple queries were raised by the participants during the sessions which reflects their active participation.

Some of the patients from field area had one or other danger signs of cancer. They were referred to AIIMS Mangalagiri, Hospital for evaluation. Cancer awareness campaign with pictorial depiction was conducted to motivate people to screen themselves periodically. Women above 40 years of age were motivated for undergoing digital mammography and pap smear for breast and cervical cancer screening respectively.

The events were organized taking into account the Government of India advisories like social distancing, wearing of masks, etc.