Cancer awareness programme held at Tura

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Dec 1: The State Cancer Society of Meghalaya in collaboration with Civil Hospital, Tura and NP-NCD, West Garo Hills conducted a Cancer Awareness Programme and Free Screening Camp at Tura Civil Hospital on 1st December, 2023.

It may be mentioned that the team comprising of Dr Anisha Mawlong, Cancer Specialist and Member Secretary, State Cancer Society, Meghalaya Shillong, Dr Farida Momin, Oncologist, Cancer Wing, Civil Hospital, Shillong along with Medical Officers facilitated the awareness and advanced screening procedures for patients during the screening camp.

Mentioning that the Meghalaya Cancer Society is promoting awareness and providing cancer screening services throughout the State, Dr Farida Momin informed that Meghalaya has the most number of cancer patients in India and are suffering from cancer in the mouth, throat, oesophagus, etc. She further mentioned that this could be due to the lifestyle of the people of the region which we are aware of and urged everyone to look for the signs and symptoms of cancer and avail early diagnosis and treatment so as to prevent the disease in future.

Encouraging the people to overcome fear psychosis with cancer diagnosis, she urged everyone to come forward and get themselves checked and also mentioned that the disease when detected early is curable and added that the Government is also providing free of cost treatment for cancer patients in various government facilities in the district.

Meanwhile, the Medical Superintendent of Tura Civil Hospital, Dr I C Marak expressed hope that organising such screening programmes for the first time in the district would benefit the general public and said that this initiative should continue in near future from time to time while advising everyone to avail this opportunity and keep themselves healthy.

Dr Shemida Marak, Joint Director,  Garo Hills Division, Dr Jakrambal A Sangma, Additional District Medical & Health Officer, Tura, Dr Jeby Marak, Oncologist, Tura Civil Hospital, Medical Officers of Tura Civil Hospital were among others present at the screening programme.