Punjab govt to organise 1,500 free cancer check-up camps

Punjab government has chalked out a strategy to organise 1,500 free cancer check-up camps for the people with a view to detect the disease at an early stage so that subsequent treatment could be initiated on time.
These camps will be organised in collaboration with the 'Roko Cancer Trust' of London, an organisation which is working in this field, Health and Family Welfare Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Navjot Kaur Sidhu said here today.
"At least 2,500 persons would be examined in each camp. The people once detected with the disease would also be extended adequate medical guidance," Sidhu said, adding that the state would achieve the fixed target of examining the entire population of the state by 2015.

Expressing concern over the rise of cancer amongst women, Sidhu, who is wife of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, said during these camps, women would be checked thoroughly for breast cancer, oral and cervical cancer so that if required further medical treatment could be pursued.
She also said people should not be scared of this disease as timely detection and preventive measures could curb the disease from spreading further.
Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal, Chairperson of the Roko Cancer Trust said the organisation has been working in 27 countries and 19 states of India with a mission to ensure that everybody is diagnostically examined for cancer so as to treat the disease at the initial stage.

Dhaliwal also said till date the organisation has already conducted 1,700 camps in Punjab so far.
To generate cancer awareness, the Trust will distribute about 1 crore printed material including pamphlets among public and about 1 crore self-examining gloves will also be made available during the camps, he added.