T.N. Health Department takes cancer screening to women at their workplace

Mon Nov 11 06:39:55 UTC 2024: ## Tamil Nadu Expands Community Cancer Screening Program, Faces Challenges Reaching Women

**Chennai, November 11, 2024:** Tamil Nadu’s community-based cancer screening program, launched last November in four districts, is set to be expanded statewide. The initiative aims to screen women aged 30 and above for breast and cervical cancer, and men and women over 18 for oral cancer.

Despite the program’s expansion, the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine faces challenges in reaching certain demographics, particularly women. Low turnout among working women, due to concerns about lost wages, has prompted the department to offer screenings at workplaces like MGNREGA sites.

However, the department is struggling to reach women residing in apartment complexes, citing difficulties in accessing these locations.

Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine T.S. Selvavinayagam emphasized the need for increased awareness and urged women to undergo screening annually. He highlighted the simplicity and painless nature of the VIA test for cervical cancer screening, which can be completed in under 10 minutes.

While the program offers screenings through government facilities, private institutions also provide Pap smear and HPV DNA testing.

Doctors emphasize the importance of behavioral change, urging women to proactively seek screening regardless of symptoms. They stressed that early detection plays a crucial role in improving outcomes for cancer patients.