Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav is pushing for widespread cancer awareness and screening, stressing that early detection can save lives. Speaking at an event in Edugundlapadu village, he highlighted the government’s ambitious plan to screen millions of women for oral, breast, and cervical cancer. However, progress has been slow due to a lack of awareness.
Government’s Cancer Screening Initiative Faces Challenges
Yadav revealed that tackling non-communicable diseases, especially cancer, is a top priority. With WHO data showing that cancer contributes to 17% of global deaths, the Andhra Pradesh government has taken a bold step—screening all women over 18 for three major types of cancer.
The initiative, launched on November 14 last year, aimed to reach 4.7 crore people within six months. Yet, only 95 lakh have been screened so far, far below expectations. Lack of awareness remains a significant hurdle, preventing faster progress.
Screening Yields Worrying Findings
Despite the slow pace, initial results from the screening program are raising concerns. Among those tested:
- 37,000 individuals showed signs of oral cancer.
- 26,000 cases of potential cervical cancer were detected.
- 25,000 showed signs of breast cancer.
In Edugundlapadu alone, 329 people underwent screening, leading to the identification of 11 suspected cases—10 oral and one breast cancer. These numbers underline the critical need for continued and expanded efforts.
Gautami’s Role in Cancer Awareness
Actress and cancer survivor T. Gautami, founder of the Life Again Foundation, has been instrumental in spreading awareness. Yadav praised her contribution, emphasizing how her personal battle adds credibility to the campaign. Gautami herself reiterated that cancer is beatable with determination and timely medical intervention.
Expanding Healthcare Support Beyond Cancer
In addition to the cancer screening drive, the government is taking steps to strengthen rural healthcare. Yadav announced a significant boost to heart attack treatment in government hospitals. Under the STEMI programme:
- Patients in rural areas now receive Rs 45,000 worth of free injections.
- The initiative has already saved 1,968 lives.
The announcement signals the government’s broader commitment to addressing critical health issues beyond cancer.
Officials and Leaders Back the Initiative
The event saw participation from several key figures, including District Collector A. Thameem Ansaria, Ongole MLA Damacharla Janardhan Rao, and Santhanutalapadu legislator B.N. Vijay Kumar. Officials stressed that scaling up awareness campaigns will be crucial in meeting the original screening target.
As Andhra Pradesh pushes forward with its ambitious screening program, the key challenge remains—convincing more people to step forward for testing. With influential voices like Yadav and Gautami leading the way, the hope is that awareness will catch up with the government’s urgency.
