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New Delhi, 30th June 2019; In a major exercise aimed at detecting cancer early and create awareness on cancer prevention in the capital, a state-of-the-art mobile cancer clinic was flagged off recently. The mobile clinic will be run by Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), donated by The Rotary Foundation.
A medical team from RGCIRC including doctors will be manning the mobile health clinic and will screen the people for common types of cancer such as Cervical cancer, Oral cancer and Breast cancer. Facilities for certain tests such as Pap Smear test for Cervical cancer will also be available on board.
“The health clinic, a re-designed Mercedes Benz van donated by The Rotary Foundation, is equipped with facilities for screening of cancer. This will help us screen the people at their door step, especially people from poor strata of society who can’t afford to go for cancer screening”, said Dr A K Chaturvedi currently Chair Radiology and former Medical Director of RGCIRC.
Besides screening, the mobile van will create awareness on causes of cancer. A large LED screen outside the van will run creatively designed meaningful films on cancer prevention so as to urge the people to change their lifestyles.
“This service is free of cost and is a part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) of RGCIRC. Not only that if a cancer is detected, to a certain limit, the treatment cost will also be borne by the hospital”, added Dr Chaturvedi.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sudhir Rawal, Medical Director, RGCIRC said, “Over 70 per cent of cancer cases report for treatment in advanced stages of disease resulting in high cost of treatment and poor survival. Healthy lifestyle holds the key to cancer prevention. Up to 2/3 of all cancers may be prevented by avoiding tobacco and adopting other healthy habits. The mobile van will help spread the word for healthy living”
“Besides providing world class facilities for cancer treatment, RGCIRC is sharply focused on prevention of cancer. As a pioneering move, RGCIRC has set up Preventive Oncology Department primarily to focus on creating awareness among the public about the need to screen for early detection of cancer. We are aligned with the vision of a healthy India of the Government and will continue to strive for prevention of cancer through awareness”, said Mr D S Negi, CEO of RGCIRC.
