FREE CANCER SCREENING CAMPS EVOKE POOR RESPONSE IN TIRUCHI; HEALTH OFFICIALS BLAME IT ON IGNORANCE, SOCIAL STIGMA

Despite the growing need for cancer awareness and early detection, free cancer screening camps set up at the health centres in Tiruchi have evoked a lukewarm response from residents.

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Aimed at screening people aged over 18 for oral cancer and women aged over 30 for breast cancer and cervical cancer and providing appropriate treatment for recovery, the camps are yet to pick up pace despite being launched on May 12.

According to M. Vijay Chandran, City Health Officer, several factors contribute to the low turnout. “Lack of awareness about preventive cancer screening and its benefits is a major deterrent. Many people are hesitant to get screened for fear of diagnosis and social stigma associated with cancer.”