Rotary’s 15 years of fighting cancer through prevention and early detection

In Sri Lanka, where cancer ranks amongst the three leading Non Communicable Diseases (NCD), with over 15,000-20,000 new cases diagnosed every year, there is an urgent need to address this rising incidence and save lives, otherwise lost due to late presentation. Recognizing the tremendous value of screening and early detection which could reduce deaths from cancer by at least one third , the 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 initiative.

“According to studies, we learnt that 30-40 percent of cancers can be prevented and another one-third can be cured through screening, early detection and follow-up treatment. Many institutions focused 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,” said Project Chairperson, Rotarian Nirmali Samaratunga.

The National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Centre in Narahenpita is today the only national facility, dedicated to screening, early detection and prevention of cancer, offering its services entirely free of charge. With funding from the Rotary Foundation and 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, and 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.

A Health Education Unit handles the prevention activities such as social awareness programmes and education. A mobile screening operation is also carried out throughout the country, particularly in remote areas .

The Centre has plans to move this year to its own building to meet the growing demand for screening, as well as enabling the screening facilities to be expanded and upgraded. An MOU was signed last year in the presence of Health Minister, Rajitha Senaratne, between the Ministry of Health and Dialog Axiata PLC who will support the project and fund the construction of a National Centre for Screening, Early Detection and Prevention of Cancer. The building would also house a National Centre for Hearing and Speech for prevention of hearing defects. With the new building the total project value today totals over Rs 185 million.