Chandigarh Welfare Trust’s free cancer screening camp draws huge response
300 screened at CWT’s cancer screening camp organised to celebrate PM Modi’s 73rd birthday
300 screened for various types of cancers at CWT’s mega health camp
Citizens apprised about warning signs during CWT’s cancer screening camp
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 24, 2023: Chandigarh Welfare Trust (CWT) conducted cancer screenings on Sunday, as a part of its mega multispecialty health camp, which drew people in large numbers from Chandigarh and its peripheral areas who availed the screening facility free of cost.
The mega health camp is a part of CWT’s ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ which began on the 73rd birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17. Around 300 persons were screened for various types of cancers by specialists and professional medical staff, for which nine cancer screening buses were deployed at the camp. It was organised by CWT in association with World Cancer Care Charitable Society.
The citizens were also apprised by the specialists about warning signs different types of cancer. The screening camp is an important cancer control activity for early detection and management and it also improves resident knowledge about cancers.
The mega multispecialty health camp was inaugurated by Punjab governor and UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit in the presence of CWT founder Satnam Singh Sandhu and other dignitaries.
CWT founder, Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “Cancer is impacting both developing and developed nations and it is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and causes about 1 in every 6 deaths worldwide. The screening and is important and helps in its early detection which is vital for the successful treatment of the disease. Early detection makes the treatment easier and more effective. The camp drew a huge response, we are happy to provide this service to the maximum number of people free of cost. People from all strata of the society have arrived to avail this benefit.”
The various kinds of cancer screening free of cost includes Mammography (for detecting breast cancer), cervical cancer screening, Prostate Cancer screening, Blood cancer screening, Oral cancer screening was conducted besides bone mineral density (BMD) test which measures how much calcium and other types of minerals are in an area of your bone.
While sharing the details of cancer screening camp, Managing Director World Cancer Care Charitable Trust Dr. Dharminder Dhillon said, “World Cancer Care Charitable Trust has deployed team of 15 doctors, 20 technicians, paramedical staff and volunteers, along with nine Cancer Screening buses in today’s Mega Health Camp. In addition, an AI Assistant for Cancer screening is also available at the camp for better chances of detecting cancer in the patients. The Trust is aiming to offer cancer screen services to about five thousand people in today’s camp.”
He said, “There are two buses for Mammography testing such as 3D Mammography and Digital Mammography. A single Mammography test costs about Rs. 5,000 in private testing facilities However, World Cancer Care conducts 50 to 100 door-to-door Mammography tests per day, which cost about 5 Lakh.”
Dr. Dhillon said, “There are two buses for laboratory session to preserve the samples of Cervical cancer along with facilities of PSA testing for prostate cancer. Two buses of Oral and throat cancer are available. Bone mineral density tests and Eye screening for eye cancer will also be conducted by the medical professionals deployed in the buses.”
While giving the details about the costs of the screenings, he said that around Rs 1000 – 1500 is the cost of Cervical cancer screening and same for the prostate cancer screening. Oral screening costs around Rs 500-700.
Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal, Chairman of World Cancer Care Charitable Society, said, “It was encouraging to see people taking the benefit of all the health services during this camp. Besides the cancer screenings, patients are being apprised them about the cancer and its symptoms as Cancer awareness is very important to early detection and better health-seeking behaviour. So, it becomes imperative to spread information about cancer prevention, screening, and treatment.”
Anju, a resident of Maloya, who brought her mother for a mammography test at the Mega Multispecialty Health Camp organized by CWT, expressed her heartfelt thanks to Satnam Singh Sandhu ji for this noble initiative. She said, “Through this camp, people from various strata of the society have benefited from the quality medical services and received treatment for various health issues. Such camos should be organised frequently to benefit the citizens.”
For the day-long mega health camp, as many as 26 medical associations, hospitals, and institutions joined hands with CWT for this grand health camp and more than 500 doctors and 1200 paramedical staff along with CWT volunteers are participating in camp to offer free health services to the people.