Sahaya Hastha organized cervical cancer awareness and screening camp at Doddatumkur in
Doddaballapur taluk on 29th March 2019. The awareness camp lasted from 10 am to 5 pm and the next
day screening camp too at the same hours.
The NGO’s primary aim is to educate people about the seriousness of early detection and diagnosis.
Awareness was conducted door to door. Around 225 houses and 550 women were covered.
Dr. Kameshwari from Cancercare India led the awareness camp and Dr. Indira Shyam Prasad from
Shyama clinic Doddaballapur, Gynecologist examined the participants.
At the awareness camps, leaflets describing the causes, symptoms, precautions for cervical and self-examination pictorial and demonstrations in case of breast cancer were advocated.
The camp was attended by women and girls aged 14yrs and above. The camp was pleasantly welcomed
by participants and they co-operated with the screening process. The screening was done for 80 women.
First we filled a questionnaire to know how aware they are about the disease and their daily habits to
evaluate the risk category.
After the screening process, we found that at least 15 of them had white discharge and vaginal
infections. Two of them had extended uterus. One of them had excessive bleeding. None of these
participants had any signs of cervical cancer. They were treated for vaginal infections by Dr Indira
Shyamprasad.
There were two of them who had a history of cancer in the family, so they were examined and found no
signs of cervical cancer but we advocated them to do mammogram and also take nutritious food and
stay active and healthy.
All the pap smear slides were examined and those who had infections mainly bacterial vaginoiosis and
trichomiosis were treated at the clinic nearby. Some were atrophic smears where oestrogen ointments
were given and advocated pap tests regularly.
We were surprised at the knowledge of two young girls aged 15 and 16 years who enquired us about
the vaccine available for cervical cancer prevention. They wanted to know if they are of the right age to
be vaccinated and where it’s available and if it was safe. We informed them that HPV vaccines are sold
under brand names Cervarix (costs Rs 3,299 per dose) and for Gardasil (Rs 2,800 per dose). Age to be
administered is 9 yrs onwards upto 45. Three doses are to be taken at 0, 2 and 6 months.
We also found a young girl with severe psychological issues and we referred her to a counselor
