Oral cancer is one of the most common cancer among men (11.28% of all cancer) and fifth most commonly occurring cancer among women (4.3% of all cancers) in India. Globally oral cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer. India contributes almost one-third of the total burden. India is the second country having the highest number of oral cancers. Some of the most common causes of oral cancer are- tobacco consumption including smokeless tobacco, betel-quid chewing, excessive alcohol consumption, unhygienic oral condition and sustained viral infections including HPV. In India most of the oral cancer cases are screened at advanced stages when treatment gets complicated and the chances of survival becomes low.

Jivika Healthcare’s Swasthya Sawari is equipped with the facility of oral cancer screening along with the screening facility of breast and oral cancer, eye screening, communicable and Non-communicable disease screening, complete ANC care and ENT care. In rural areas chewing tobacco is a common practice. We came across a 57 years old lady, named Mrs. Somari Khariyain (who had been under the habit of chewing tobacco since young age) during Swasthya Sawari medical camp at Jhikirma village of Palkot block in Gumla district. She came with a complaint of ulcerated growth in the lower left floor of her mouth. She was found suspected for oral cancer, so the Medical Officer counselled and referred her to CHC Palkot for further tests and treatment.

She visited CHC and is currently under medication. Early diagnosis of oral cancer not only increases the chance of effective treatment, but also increases the chance of survival. We are grateful to our partners- Government of Jharkhand, Rockefeller Foundation, Give, BCG, USAID, Jhpiego and Nishtha for supporting us to take the cancer screening facility closer to the remotely residing communities of Jharkhand.