Cancer Detection

Early detection holds the key to complete cure as far as cancer is concerned. At the Vasantha Memorial Trust, a large portion of our energy reserves are devoted to conducting detection camps. This is simultaneously supported by taking up the curing of and caring for positive cancer patients.

However, in our road of efforts, we have realized that this is perhaps the most difficult area of operations. No one is prepared to face the fact that he / she might have cancer. This makes it very difficult for people to come forward and get themselves detected. Add to this fact that most of our detection camps are conducted in the rural areas. What we have is a scenario where people are neither educated enough to know how deadly cancer can be. Nor are they willing to give cancer patients the care and curing process they deserve

Most curable cancers can be detected by the means of very simple test. Cancer of the cervix, for instance takes about 20 years to develop into its full fledged form. This however, can be picked up by a simple PAP smear test, which is affordable too. In each of our camps, our repeated emphasis is on this aspect of cancer.

A CAMP IN PROGRESS

Our road to detection camps
Our message to people is “get the courage to get yourself tested. Cancer is curable. You can lead a perfectly normal life even if you have it.” Often, we find that it is only our enthusiasm so high. The response we get from the villages is often disheartening. After our initial years, we realized that a lot of activities had to precede each detection camp. Currently, our detection process involves several weeks of preparing and coaxing the people to get themselves tested.

The questionnaire session
Our volunteers and appointed health nurses begin the arduous task of a door-to-door campaign 2-3 weeks prior to the appointed date. They take with them a basic questionnaire that states the basic symptoms of cancer. The questionnaire also gives us an insight as to whether the concerned people have any vague symptoms. In addition, it also gives us an idea about the health background of the family

Additional information material
On the door to door campaigns, our health officials and volunteers also take the time to explain the positive effects of an early detection. It also serves as a one to one forum where initial fears of “cancer is death” are dispelled. In addition to the questionnaires, posters, notices and announcements are also put up at vantage points in the village. On an average, if about 1000 people are approached, about a 100 turn up for the actual process of detection!

The actual detection process
Our detection process entails a complete physical and clinical examination. Our medical team comprises an oncologist/ general physician, a surgeon, urologist, gynaecologist, dentist and an ENT surgeon. Routine tests like pap smears are taken at the venue itself. Patients requiring specialised tests are given tokens and prescriptions. Our volunteer base ensures that reminders are sent to suspect patients and that they turn up at the hospitals.

Our experiences at the camps
Our very first detection camp was at a village near Trichy. The results shocked us beyond imagination. Of the hundred women we screened, 4 of them had frank cancer (obvious cancer) of the cervix. Research showed us that several factors played a role in causing cancer. Most of the women we screened had had an early marriage. Plenty of children and a virtually absent personal hygiene routine shared the responsibility of creating a cancer welcoming environment.

One of our most significant learning experiences came at a camp we conducted in Komarlingam,Udumalpet Taluk, Coimbatore Dist. About 250 people volunteered to get themselves detected. We were shocked to find that 16 of them had cancer! Some of them were in is most advanced stages, ruling out any possibility of cure. Sadly, we realised that all the people who were tested positive, could have avoided cancer, had they tried. All 16 cases were tobacco related cancers. Researching the causative factors showed us that chewing tobacco was the village’s favourite pastime. What a price to pay for life!!

Our experience at Sathyamangalam ,Coimbatore Dist, was refreshingly different. First, we were happy that 313 people were present at the screening camp. Our joy knew no bounds when we discovered that not a single person had even remote symptoms of cancer! Appreciable levels of education and good sanitation and hygiene provided the necessary environment to block carcinogens from these people.

Our current work area involves extending these basic concepts of awareness, hygiene and cleanliness to the villages where we take up detection. Our encounters have made a lot of people bold enough to go through the cancer detection process themselves. After seeing the ill effects of ignorance, our volunteers had themselves screened. It was indeed a sad day when we discovered that two of them have cancer. On the brighter side of things, they are on their road to recovery. And their enthusiasm to wipe out the disease has only been strengthened!

Detection holds the vital key to cure. At the Vasantha Memorial Trust , we leave no stone unturned to encourage people to come forward and get themselves tested. We know that every cancer detected early, stands a better chance of cure. Every cancer neglected till the end, eats away one life. In our constant battle to tilt the balance towards preserving life, we often win. But there are still cases where we are unable to instill the process of cure. Our message is “prevent cancer as much as you can. If you can’t have the courage to get yourself screened.
Your life is in your hands.”