Observing World Cancer Day, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Oncology and Research (SRIOR), on Monday launched its mobile cancer awareness initiative.
L. Balaji Saravanan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), flagged off the van which is configured with audio visual facilities to create awareness on cancers in public places in the presence of D. Lakshminarayanaswamy, Joint Managing Trustee SNR Sons Charitable Trust, K. Karthikesh, Chief Surgical Oncologist SRIOR, and staff from the institute.
SRIOR director P. Guhan said that the van has microphone and an Android LED screen installed at its rear windscreen which is connected to water resistant speakers.
The van has a WiFi connection to operate the LED screen for the instructor to demonstrate and create awareness on cancers. The van will also be used to create awareness at free camps organised by SRIOR for cervical, breast and oral cancers under its project DEEPAM.
SRIOR claimed that more than three lakh people were screened under the project in the last 15 years.
The van also bears a mobile number 93442-75008, which can be contacted by firms, agencies, educational institutions, public event organisers for short awareness sessions on cancers.
Observing the day, Gem Hospital, Coimbatore, organised Celebrating life, a get together of people who underwent laparoscopic treatment for cancers.
Over 100 patients from various parts of the country participated and shared their experiences at the event.
The hospital with support from the Rotary Clubs of Coimbatore are running the program 'Care for Life' which offers free and subsidised treatment for cancer patients.
Beneficiaries of the initiative who participated at the meet and all patients were provided with health benefit cards which enable them to undergo follow up test free of cost at the hospital.
C. Palanivelu, chairman of GEM Hospital and Praveen Raj, Head of Department of Bariatric Surgery took part in the event.
As part of World Cancer Day observance, VGM Hospital, Coimbatore, launched a free check up and investigations at a reduced price for cancer screening which will continue up to February 11. V.G. Mohan Prasad, chairman of the hospital, said that two to four cases of cancer are diagnosed at the hospital per day.
According to Dr. Prasad, most of the patients come to treatment at advanced stages of cancer.
If detected at an early stage, cancer can be cured, he said.
