E-poster Presentation 2014 World Cancer Congress

Pink chain campaign in Delhi University: An initiative to teach Delhi university Youth about cancer prevention and early detection. (#1073)

Sneha Ms Upadhyaya 1 , Abhishek Dr Shankar 2 , Keshav Mr Barnwal 1 , Shubham Dr Roy 3 , Vivek Mr srivastava 1
  1. Punarjeevan Bihar, Nawada, BIHAR, India
  2. Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, India
  3. Pediatrics, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Delhi, India

Background and Context:

Cancer has become a vital concern in society; the mortality rate due to cancer is astonishing in India,which mounts the need of raising the alarm.More than 80% of cases are presenting in stage 3 and 4 with a survival of only 20%.To make people present early to hospital generating awareness is the only way out to that can bring revolutionary change. 

Aim:

 Promoting cancer prevention by educating youth regarding various clinical features of different types of cancers and by motivating them to spread this message to large number of people.

Strategy/Tactics:

Screening of  movie on breast cancer followed by lectures and heath check up by experts will take place to teach people regarding different cancers,prevention and early detection. Special focus is to make youth aware of their responsibilities and join this campaign to teach others.

Programme/Policy Process:

 Pink Chain Campaign, a cancer awareness drive has been educating youth and officials to bring the change.The campaign, which started from a small school students’ education about cancer, marked its footprints from Gandhi Ashram, Maharashtra to Jaipur for sensitizing youth followed by awareness drive in six states of India.From 5 Aug to 4 Sep, 2013 the campaign worked for the students of the University of Delhi.The campaign was attended by many prominent personalities from different areas like politics, arts,sports, film and theatre.

Outcomes/What was learned:

The campaign at the University of Delhi educated 20,000 students of 27 colleges.Approximately there is more than 50% change in level of knowledge and attitude and 30-40% increase in change of safe practices and 20-30% decrease in addiction habits.Considering this as a reference we will be able to improve knowledge and attitude for cancer in 5 million people, 3-4 million people will start adopting screening modalities and approx 1 million people will change their addiction habits.