; Community outreach | SVICCAR
Community outreach

Community outreach

Increasing awareness about various cancer types and their risk factors, and screening for early detection of cancer are central to SVICCAR’s community outreach efforts. The centre also works to promote behavioural change by encouraging people to undergo regular testing for cancer.

Screening and awareness for early detection

Awareness and screening procedures are key in the fight against cancer. Screenings help to detect the disease early, making it easier to treat, thus improving the chances of survival. SVICCAR conducts various activities — camps, collaboration with local authorities like panchayat samitis, self-help groups and local organisations — to increase awareness and reduce the spread of cancer.

Helping the underserved

The hospital, in collaboration with the National Health Mission, is working on implementing the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in sub-centres (SCs) and health and wellness centres (HWCs).

Screening and awareness kiosk

The hospital runs Swasth Chittoor, a screening and awareness kiosk, at the Area Hospital, Chandragiri. Part of the Swasth Kiosks initiative, this kiosk provides free screening for oral, breast and cervical cancers, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension, along with a general health check-up.

SVICCAR also runs a Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) which is equipped with a mammography machine for a free screening of oral, breast and cervical cancers.

Building capability of frontline workers

Capability building of community health workers to equip them with the necessary skills to screen and detect cancer is also part of SVICCAR’s community outreach efforts.

Frontline workers including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and staff at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and HWCs, are given hands-on training in creating community awareness, carrying out oral cancer screening, and training women in conducting breast self-exams. The PHC and HWC staff are also trained in clinical breast examination and cervical cancer screening.

Efforts to curb tobacco consumption

Tobacco is a major risk factor for multiple cancers. It is also the single largest cause of preventable deaths. SVICCAR works with the National Tobacco Control Programme to sensitise youth against the use and consumption of tobacco.

Regular initiatives are carried out to spread awareness about the health risks of tobacco. SVICCAR works with educational institutes, National Service Scheme volunteers, youth associations, local police, NGOs, etc. to create awareness and prevent the use of tobacco. Training is also imparted for implementing tobacco control measures. The team works with educational institutes to implement the Tobacco Free Educational Institutes (ToFEI) guidelines.

Outreach Impact

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People screened for oral,
breast and cervical cancers

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Youth sensitised against tobacco use

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Frontline workers trained

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Doctors trained

From Jan 2020 - June 2024

What’s new

Resources

Dentist Handbook with extracts based on the Continuing Medical Education (CME)

Dentist Handbook with extracts based on the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programme

General Practitioner’s Handbook with extracts based on the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programme

General Practitioner’s Handbook with extracts based on the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programme

Harmful effects of tobacco

Harmful effects of tobacco

Learn how tobacco consumption can impact you and your loved ones

Steps to reduce risk of cancer

Steps to reduce risk of cancer

CAUTION signs of cancer that you need to watch out for and how you can reduce your risk for cancer

Steps for oral cancer self-exam

Steps for oral cancer self-exam

Learn about symptoms of oral cancer and steps for conducting self-examination