AP Focuses on Cancer Screening, Treatment: Minister
The minister said that non-communicable diseases pose a major challenge, with cancer accounting for 17 per cent of global deaths according to the WHO.
Kurnool: Health minister Satya Kumar Yadav emphasised that cancer can be defeated with awareness and timely treatment. He said state government was prioritising this issue.
The minister participated in a cancer screening programme in Edugundlapadu village, Maddipadu mandal, along with actress and founder of Life Again Foundation T. Gautami on Tuesday.
The minister said that non-communicable diseases pose a major challenge, with cancer accounting for 17 per cent of global deaths according to the WHO.
He revealed that one of the first files he signed as minister was related to cancer. He added that the state had launched an unprecedented initiative to screen all women above 18 for oral, breast and cervical cancer.
The screening programme, which began on November 14 last year, aimed to cover 4.7 crore people in six months, but only 95 lakh have been screened so far due to lack of awareness.
Of those tested, 37,000 showed signs of oral cancer, 26,000 cervical cancer and 25,000 breast cancer. In Edugundlapadu alone, 329 people were screened, which identified 11 suspected cases — 10 oral and one breast cancer.
The minister praised Gautami for her efforts in creating awareness, noting that she overcame cancer herself.
He also announced that government hospitals now provide Rs 45,000 worth of free injections for heart attack patients in rural areas as part of the STEMI programme, which has saved 1,968 lives till now.
Gautami shared her personal battle with cancer, saying overcoming it is possible with determination.
District collector A. Thameem Ansaria reported that 94.99 lakh people have been screened in the district so far. Ongole MLA Damacharla Janardhan Rao, Santhanutalapadu legislator B.N. Vijay Kumar and senior health officials attended the programme.