Rotary focuses on women:

Reducing incidence of cancer through screening

The Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Project launched by the Rotary Club of Colombo almost 6 years ago, aims at addressing the significant problem of increasing incidence and prevalence of cancer in Sri Lanka. According to statistics, each year an average of 12,000 to 13,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed.

The high mortality and morbidity of cancer in Sri Lanka has been found to be due to the late presentation to the health authorities.

According to studies, 30 percent-40 percent of such deaths can be prevented with timely screening and early detection, thus saving up to 3,000 lives. In Sri Lanka, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers amongst women, and accounts for over 22 percent of all cancers in women.

What is significant is that, if detected at an early stage, breast cancer could be cured.

Thus the vital need for screening and early detection facilities not only for breast cancer, but other cancers, including cervical cancer, which is also prevalent amongst women in Sri Lanka The Cancer Early Detection Project which is in partnership with the National Cancer Control Programme of the Ministry of Health has been operating a Cancer Early Detection Clinic in Narahenpita for almost 6 years to date, providing screening, diagnosis and counseling facilities entirely free of charge.

During this period several thousand people, mainly women, have been screened, and of this, several hundred detected with symptoms requiring further investigation.

Prevention through awareness building is carried out through media publicity, and by the Centre through the mobile unit covering outstation areas targeting mainly the high risk groups.

In view of the focus of the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition on arresting the growing incidence of cancer through widespread screening programs in the country, this Rotary project which is in partnership with the Ministry will add further value to this work. In the case of early detection of breast cancer, basic screening is presently carried out.

In order to enhance the effectiveness of the screening facilities offered, it is proposed to install a mammography machine, which will be donated through the Rotary Club of Birmingham, Alabama the US Rotary Club partnering the Rotary Club of Colombo in this life saving Project.

The machine will be located at the National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Centre which is presently under construction.

It is reported that with a mammogram, breast cancer can be detected up to 2 years before it is large enough to be felt, and if detected early, can be cured. Mammograms are recommended to be taken on a yearly basis and for apparently healthy people, not showing symptoms. With a mammography machine in place, this will enable a greater number of detections to be made at an early stage, thus arresting the incidence of breast cancer through early detection, and reducing the number of new cases. Meanwhile, once the new Centre is operational, a comprehensive and widespread awareness building program on cancers, including breast cancer, is planned amongst the general public and particularly women, through the media, schools as well as medical personnel.

The value of the services offered by for screening of breast cancer.is also planned to be further enhanced by linking up this project with a leading Organization in USA, Radiology Mammography International , as well as input from the American College of Radiologists, with the assistance of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, Alabama.

Discussions are underway to provide technical input and training through Mammography International USA, once the machine is installed, which will greatly enhance the screening facilities for breast cancer provided by the Centre, whilst ensuring the sustainability of the Centre in the long term.

Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Colombo is in discussion with a leading Corporate to partner them to complete construction of the Centre.

This will enable the early detection activities as well as prevention through awareness building activities to be more focused and intensified, with a view to significantly arresting the rising incidence of breast cancer as well as other cancers prevalent in Sri Lanka, thus making a very valuable contribution to society .and saving lives through the prevention and early detection of cancer.