The initiative aims to educate, promote voluntary screening, and remove cancer stigma, ensuring women seek medical help. BPL women will receive free screening and treatment, while APL individuals can access affordable services through public-private partnerships
Published Feb 04, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 05, 2025 | 9:37 AM
'For women, through women': Kerala’s bold war on cancer begins on 4 February
Synopsis: Kerala is launching a community-driven cancer awareness and screening programme. According to a screening conducted by the state government, around nine lakh people in Kerala are at risk of developing cancer. The chief minister will inaugurate the initiative on 4 February, World Cancer Day.
Imagine a state where every woman is empowered to fight cancer—not in its final, devastating stages, but right at the beginning when it is most curable.
This vision is at the heart as Kerala is set to launch “For Women, Through Women”, an ambitious community-driven cancer awareness and screening programme that prioritises breast and cervical cancer detection and treatment.
Starting on World Cancer Day, 4 February, and continuing until International Women’s Day, March 8, the first phase of this campaign is designed by women, for women.
Through grassroots efforts, the initiative seeks to educate, encourage voluntary screening, and eliminate the stigma surrounding cancer, ensuring that no woman hesitates to seek medical help.
For Below Poverty Line (BPL) women, screening and treatment will be free, while Above Poverty Line (APL) individuals will receive these services at affordable rates through public-private partnerships.
Despite advancements in healthcare, thousands of cancer cases in Kerala go undetected until it’s too late.
The health department says that a staggering nine lakh people were identified as at risk of cancer in a screening conducted through the Shaili App under the Navakerala Action Plan II – Aardram Mission, an annual health screening programme for persons above 30 years of age.
Logo of the one year long awareness programme against cancer
Yet, only 1.5 lakh of them opted for further tests, leaving 7.5 lakh potentially at-risk individuals untested.
This hesitation is what Kerala’s latest campaign aims to change.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India, making up 13.5 percent of all cases, while cervical cancer ranks third (9 percent).
In Kerala, data from the Malabar Cancer Centre (2018) reveals that 33 percent of all cancers in women are breast cancer cases, with cervical cancer making up 4.18 percent.
Most importantly, these cancers are highly treatable if detected early—but many women delay seeking medical attention due to fear, stigma, or lack of awareness.
By the time they reach hospitals, the disease has often advanced, leading to more suffering, higher treatment costs, and increased mortality.
Meanwhile, the health authorities said that the initiative is part of a year-long campaign against cancer which is aimed at:
– Encouraging behavioural change—shifting public mindset towards regular voluntary screenings.
– Removing social stigma—making cancer a conversation, not a silent struggle.
– Providing financial support—ensuring screening and treatment are accessible for all.
– Strengthening local healthcare infrastructure—improving diagnostic and treatment facilities at government hospitals.
The campaign will operate under a continuum of care model, which means awareness, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation will be systematically linked to offer seamless support for those diagnosed.
This effort is not just the health department’s initiative—it’s Kerala’s collective fight against cancer.
Women’s organisations, local self-government bodies, civil society groups, NGOs, and volunteers will all play a key role in mobilising women for screening camps.
The program will also include:
– Mass awareness drives at the district and panchayat levels.
– Screening and early detection at 855 health centres, with private hospitals and labs offering subsidised testing.
– Door-to-door campaigns to dispel myths and encourage medical checkups.
– Specialist consultations for suspected cases.
The state-level inauguration of this groundbreaking initiative will be led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at 4 pm on 4 February at Tagore Theatre, Thiruvananthapuram.
This event will mark the official beginning of a transformative campaign that aims to reduce Kerala’s cancer burden through proactive measures.
The health department says that Kerala, which has always been a pioneer in public health initiatives, will further cement its leadership through this campaign.
By ensuring early detection, timely treatment, and community participation, the state is taking a proactive step in reducing cancer-related deaths.
The message is clear: Cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence.
With awareness, early detection, and timely care, it can be beaten.
Health Minister Veena George announced the initiative on Monday
This campaign is Kerala’s call to action—urging every woman to step forward, get screened, and take charge of her health.
Because health is joy, and cancer can be kept at bay.
This year, World Cancer Day is being observed with the theme ‘United By Unique’ as it recognises a people-centred approach to cancer care. Behind each diagnosis, there is a unique personal story – ‘one of grief, pain, healing, resilience, love and more.’
Vijayan inaugurated a year-long cancer prevention and early detection campaign, Arogyam Anandam – Akattam Arbudham (Health is Joy – Keep Cancer at Bay) aimed at ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking at the state-level inauguration, on Tuesday, he emphasised that ignorance and the cost of treatment deter many from seeking early medical intervention, a concern that must be addressed in Kerala’s healthcare-conscious society.
The first phase of the campaign, focused on women, will run from 4 February to 8 March (International Women’s Day), prioritising screening for breast and cervical cancer.
The initiative, involving government, private, and cooperative sectors, aims to create awareness and facilitate affordable cancer treatment.
Highlighting Kerala’s commitment to cancer care, Vijayan noted that nine lakh people were screened in a previous campaign, but a significant number hesitated to proceed with further tests.
The state is expanding cancer treatment facilities, with robotic surgery introduced at RCC and MCC, and weekly screening clinics planned in all hospitals.
Under the Karunya Sparsham — Zero Profit Anti-Cancer Drugs scheme, life-saving medicines are being provided at discounts of up to 88%.
Urging public participation, the chief minister called for collective efforts to encourage early detection and treatment, assuring that the government stands firmly with those battling the disease.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
