Rotary marks 15 years of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection with NCCP
Recognising the tremendous value of screening and early detection which could reduce deaths from cancer by at least one third, Rotary Club of Colombo, 15 years ago, joined hands with the National Cancer Control Programme of the Ministry of Health and launched the Cancer Prevention and Early Detection project.
This year, the project completes 15 years in this life saving endeavour.
Project Chairperson Rotarian Nirmali Samaratunga said: “According to studies done, we learnt that 30 to 40 percent of cancers can be prevented and another one third can be cured through screening, early detection and follow up treatment. Many institutions focussed only on treatment, but by offering facilities for prevention, screening and early detection of cancer, particularly the preventable and curable ones such as breast, cervical and oral cancer, we found that we could actually save lives. If we can save even one life, that makes this project worthwhile. Today, 15 years later we can look back with a sense of fulfilment at the many thousands, mainly women, who have been saved through this project.”
Samaratunga paid tribute to all those institutions and individuals who had selflessly contributed towards this achievement, giving of their time, effort and financial support.
She commended the main project partners; Ministry of Health, the several Health Ministers and the National Cancer Control Programme of the Ministry of Health, headed by Dr. Yasantha Ariyaratne back in 2004, followed by Dr. Neelamani Paranagama and Dr. Eshani Fernando, and presently Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, and Dr. Sunil De Alwis from the ministry, for their unstinting co-operation.
Also, the corporate partners; Dialog Axiata PLC CEO Dr. Hans Wijesuriya who spontaneously responded to the funding request for the new building, and the major international donor, Rotary Club of Birmingham Alabama, USA, who contributed to the project’s success through the donation of much needed screening equipment and funding for public awareness.
All this was steered over the past 15 years by a small group of dedicated Rotarians, and Samaratunga further added: “Our strong public private partnership has been the secret of the sustainability and success of this project.”
The aim of World Cancer Day marked in February around the world, is to help save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, and calling on governments to take action against the disease through early detection and other activities. Today more people die from cancer than from AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.
In line with this vision, the National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Centre in Narahenpita is the only national facility dedicated to screening, early detection and prevention of cancer, and offering its services entirely free of charge.
With funding from the Rotary Foundation and generous international rotary clubs from USA, Zurich, Switzerland and Nuremberg, Germany, the centre now offers screening and early detection facilities for breast cancer, cervical and oral cancer as well as counselling, education and awareness programmes for prevention.
These are carried out by a team of doctors and nurses from NCCP, with the focus on breast cancer through mammography screening, this having the highest incidence of all cancers. Screening for cervical cancer which is the second highest of cancers in females, is carried out through HPV/DNA testing and Colposcopy screening, whilst oral cancer, the highest incidence in males, is screened through a fully equipped dental unit.
The centre has plans to move this year to its own building, facilitating more space to meet the growing demand for screening, as well as enabling the screening facilities to be expanded and upgraded.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed last year in the presence of Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, between the Health Ministry and Dialog Axiata PLC, who have come forward to support the Rotary Club of Colombo’s project and fund the construction of a national centre for screening, early detection and prevention for cancer. The building would also house a national centre for hearing and speech for prevention of hearing defects. This project totals Rs.185 million.
Last month, another MOU was signed between the Rotary Club of Colombo and the Health Ministry, aimed at freeing women from the morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer and eliminating it as a public health problem by 2030.