AstraZeneca India and the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) conducted a cancer screening camp for women in Varanasi. This is the second such camp set up in and around Varanasi, as a part of the Ganga Godavari Cancer Screening programme, since the launch of its current phase in March 2021. The programme strives to spread awareness on the importance and the need for early detection of oral, breast, and cervical cancers in women and facilitate detection of such cancers at this specialised cancer screening camp. More than 100 women were screened in the camp, and 5 suspect cases were referred for further evaluation. 

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Surgery and Dentistry provided an expert team of medical professionals for the provision of screening services at the Health and Wellness centre at Tikri. More than 300 women participated in the previous cancer screening camp held at Varanasi in March 2021. Fifteen of whom were then referred to the respective tertiary care hospitals for further management. 

Dr Sangeeta Kansal, IMS, Banaras Hindu University, Department of Community Medicine, said, “As the cancer cases among women are on a rise, it’s very important to educate rural women about the importance of early diagnosis. By understanding this need, a free medical check-up camp for the woman was organised today in Mallah, Tikri by AstraZeneca along with BHU, Doctors for you and the Indian Cancer Society. The dentists and gynaecologists from IMS-BHU Health conducted the check-up. The event saw active participation with 105 women participants and also diagnosed 5 patients on the risk of first stage cancer.”

Dr Anil Kukreja, VP – Medical Affairs & Regulatory, AstraZeneca India, said, “ As more women are affected with cancers in India, we must conduct enough effective and consistent programs, especially in rural parts of the country, such as the Ganga Godavari Cancer Screening Programme enabling greater access to quality healthcare."