Background and Context:
In India, more than 70% cancer is preventable and more than 80% cancers are curable if detected early.In late stages, doctors have not much to do except palliation of symptoms.To make people present early to hospital generating awareness is the only way out to that can bring revolutionary change.
Aim:
Prevention by educating people regarding various clinical features of different types of cancers and early detection by adopting a screening tests.
Strategy/Tactics:
Screening of PINK CHAIN-A Docu-drama on Breast cancer and Lectures and check up by Medical Experts to teach people regarding different cancers, ways to prevent them, promote early detection, and boost the cure of the same.Special focus to make youth aware of their responsibilities and join this campaign to teach others as a part of their social responsibilities.To solve the quarries and clear the misconceptions of people regarding cancer & cancer related issues.
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 A for sensitizing youth.We covered many corporate offices and taught people about various aspects of cancer with special emphasis on cancer prevention and early detection promoting no to smoking and alcohol attitude.
Outcomes/What was learned:
In our awareness campaign interim analysis, there is significant change in level of knowledge, attitude and practice in relation to cancer.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.