Indian Cancer Society and AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited has announced the launch of a nationwide cancer awareness initiative - Cancer Screening for Women. Under this programme, free, specialized cancer-screening will be conducted across the country for women from underprivileged families. These screening camps will focus on prevalent cancers such as oral, cervical and breast and will follow a rigorous process to link the suspect cases with health care facilities for further management. The programme also aims to raise awareness about risk factors, symptoms, removing stigma, and promoting healthy lifestyle for cancer prevention. The first screening camp to mark this launch was held on World Cancer Day at Indian Cancer Society, Mumbai, where over 100 women were screened.

Mr. Naveen Kshatriya, Honorary Secretary & Managing Trustee, of the Indian Cancer Society said, “With the increasing incidence of cancer cases in women, there is an urgent need to raise awareness about early cancer detection at grass-roots level. With this initiative, we aim to enable people to stay ahead of cancer through early detection and timely treatment.’’

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Gagan Singh, Country President and Managing Director, AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited said, “We are pleased to partner with Indian Cancer Society and other partners to achieve our shared vision of curing cancer through early detection. Women’s health is integrally linked to access to available resources and we believe that opportunistic screening with a robust framework to link them to the healthcare system is an important pathway to address this challenge”

As part of Phase 1 of this programme, around 4000 women beneficiaries from vulnerable section of society will be screened in identified high priority district areas of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka with the help of mobile detection units with qualified technicians across urban and rural areas. In Phase 2, the specialised screening camps will be expanded to states in North & North - East India. The entire programme will run over the coming years. We thank our chief Guest Shri Vishwanath Mahadeshwar The Mayor of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation , Mumbai and Shri Kalidas Kolambkar MLA, Wadala Constituency.

Indian Cancer Society (ICS) is India's first voluntary, non-profit, National Organization for  Awareness, Screening, Treatment Support, Survivorship and Rehabilitation, of those affected with cancer, Cancer Registry. ICS was established in 1951 by Dr. D.J. Jussawalla and Mr. Naval Tata and since then Indian Cancer Society has been doing sterling work in fighting cancer across India. ICS is actively involved with Tata Trusts, Tata Memorial Hospital, Govt of Maharashtra and various local organisations in executing awareness, screening, research and education, treatment support, survivorship and rehabilitation of cancer patient.

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory. AstraZeneca India was established in 1979 and is marking its 40th year of long standing commitment to India. It is headquartered at Bengaluru, Karnataka. AstraZeneca India has a workforce of over 1200 employees across the country committed to deliver great medicines to patients through innovative science and global excellence in development and commercialization.