Open AccessAdvocacy for Early Detection and Treatment of Cervix and Breast Cancer
Author(s) -
Prerak Shukla,
Neha Tripathi,
Phalguni Gupta
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of global oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.002
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 2378-9506
DOI - 10.1200/jgo.18.64200
Subject(s) - medicine , cervical cancer , cervix , context (archaeology) , breast cancer , cancer , gynecology , population , family medicine , environmental health , paleontology , biology
Background and context: According to ICO Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (HPV Information Centre) 2014 in females with 23.8% breast cancer is highest and at 20.2% cervix cancer comes at number 2 in India. India has a population of 432.20 million women aged 15 years and older who are at risk for developing cervical cancer. Current estimates indicate that every year 122,844 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 67,477 die of the disease. Cervical cancer in India ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age. Aim: Accessibility for the early detection of cervix and breast cancer for the females in Uttar Pradesh. Strategy/Tactics: Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh the most populous State of India having 1/6 of population and equivalent burden of cervical cancer. Any action aimed at an effect in Lucknow shall further have impact in the entire state. Advocacy training was organized at Lucknow on the occasion of “World Cancer Day” (4th February) with material for capacity building of organizations working on cervical cancer and female health. We were able to mobilize 10 different organizations working for cervical cancer and female health issue. Presence of Hon'ble Governor and Principal Health Secretary enabled us in making a dent on the issue from the very beginning. His Excellency the Governor of Uttar Pradesh being a cancer survivor was the best advocate, stressing during the lecture on the need to address the issue. Principal Health Secretary, the ultimate deciding authority for developing the policies assured for full cooperation and early action. Program/Policy process: Principal Health Secretary of Government of Uttar Pradesh announced to establish the screening clinics forscreening of cervical cancer in 23 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Treatment facilities would be provided in all the government medical colleges of Uttar Pradesh. The clinic set up shall be monitored by National Health Mission Unit of Uttar Pradesh. Outcomes: Currently Sampoorna clinics are established in 28 districts of Uttar Pradesh which is for females of age group 15 to 60 years for all kind of screening, advice and treatment. What was learned: For advocacy we need ground work to be done before meeting to any policy maker to influence the policy. Different organization working on the same or related issues has to bring together to strengthen the impact.