Reducing the Risk of Oral Cancer Mortality through Early Screening

February 5, 2024 jivika_admin No Comments

Oral Cancer is a major public health concern in India. Globally oral cancer ranks as the sixth most common type of cancer, while in India it ranks among the top three cancers. In India it is the most common cancer among men (11.28% of all cancers) and 5^th most frequently occurring cancer among women (4.3 % of all cancers). Tobacco chewing is one of the major cause of oral cancer in India. Early detection of oral cancer not only increases the chances of survival by 50-90%, but also reduces the cost of treatment.

Oral screening of 48 years old Mr. Nipjyoti Boro at Swasthya Sawari medical camp in Agchia village

Jivika’s Swasthya Sawari operating in Boko and Nagarbera Blocks of Kamrup District in Assam provides NCD screening facility with special focus on screening of three most common types of cancers- oral, breast and cervical cancer, hypertension, diabetes, eye care and oral care. A beneficiary named Mr. Nipjyoti Boro (48 years) visited our medical camp at Agchia village in Boko block on 6^th of April, 2023 without any medical complaints. On screening for oral cancer, an ulcer on his gingiva buccal sulcus was noticed by the medical officer.

The beneficiary cleared that he does not experience pain or bleeding in the site. It was also revealed that he was under the habit of chewing tobacco since about 30 years. He was counselled about the benefits of early screening and treatment of oral cancer and was referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
Through Swasthya Sawari, Jivika is ensuring easy accessibility of quality healthcare services to the hard-to-reach villages. We are immensely grateful to our partners The Government of Assam and Siemens Healthineers for supporting us in this initiative.