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Manipal, 21 November 2023: Well Women Program: Free Breast and Cervical cancer screening & Cancer awareness program for the community launched at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. This is a joint initiative from Kasturba Medical College& Hospital, Manipal and Manipal Foundation. This initiative aims to provide free breast and cervical cancer screening, along with comprehensive health awareness, specifically targeting underprivileged women in the community. The program is being conducted in association with the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Department of Community Medicine and Centre for Community Oncology.

The Chief Executive Officer of Manipal Foundation, Sri Harinarayan Sharma, inaugurated the program and expressed his commitment to advancing women’s health. Manipal Foundation has taken this initiative to screen women for breast and cervical cancers which are the most common cancers among women in India. Early detection of these cancers/precancers could have better treatment response and cure rate. Our aim is to screen the underprivileged women of Udupi district under this program. He said that our aim is to screen all the underprivileged women of Udupi district under this program.

Dr. Padmaraj Hegde, Dean of KMC Manipal, released the Breast Cancer information brochure and Dr. Anand Venugopal, COO of Teaching Hospital, MAHE, Manipal,  released the Cervical Cancer information brochure. Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Dr Shripad Hebbar, Head Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Dr Ashwini Kumar, Head Department of Community Medicine were present.

Dr. Naveen S Salins, Associate Dean of KMC Manipal and Coordinator of Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre, provided an insightful overview of the Well Women program. Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Shyamala G, Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts driving this crucial health initiative. Dr. Ranjitha S Shetty, Additional Professor in the Department of Community Medicine and Coordinator, Centre for Community Oncology extended a vote of thanks, acknowledging the collective dedication to promoting women’s health in the community.

Breast cancer and cervical cancers are the most common malignancy among women globally.  This Well Women Program includes a range of services such as haemoglobin test for anaemia, blood sugar test, breast cancer and Cervical cancer screening through hand held devices which would give immediate results. The organizers anticipate that this comprehensive health screening activity will make a significant impact on the early detection and prevention of breast and cervical cancer among underprivileged women in the region.

As part of ‘Well Women Program’ of KMC, Manipal and Kasturba Hospital, Manipal  in association with Manipal Foundation, women in the age group of 30-55 years from underprivileged sections of the community will be screened for breast cancer and cervical cancer. Through the established cancer care pathway of KMC, Manipal, women with positive findings will be referred to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal for further confirmation and management as part of this initiative.

These services will be offered at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi, Dr TMA PAI Rotary Hospital, Karkala and at community settings within Udupi district.