yellow pomelo cancer screening camp - ponnavaram

Cancer Screening CampPonnavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India

Pratik Mulpury

Nov 5-6, 2016

Inspiration

Copyright 2016 © Yellow Pomelo

● Loss of close friends and family as well as my cousin sister who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

● Success of cancer screening camp in Chatapparu, Andhra Pradesh.

● Rapidly growing epidemic in India.

● Overwhelming support from friends and family.

Current Situation


● Around 1.12 Million new cancer cases were detected in India in 2014.

● Around half a million deaths occurred due to cancer in 2014.

● Between 2012 - 2014, cancer deaths increased by 6%.

● Most common male cancer in India is head-neck followed by lung cancer.

● Most common female cancer in India is cervical cancer followed by breast cancer.

Current Situation


Cancer Screening Benefits


● Survival rates improve dramatically when cancer is diagnosed early.

Cancer Screening Camp Highlights


● Conducted cancer screening camp in partnership with Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute.

● Screening provided at no charge.

● Tests include Mammograms, Ultrasounds, X-rays and Pap tests.

● Camp covered 49,000 people in Ponnavaram and neighboring villages of Veerullapadu Mandal, Andhra Pradesh.

Where is Ponnavaram?


Why Ponnavaram?


● Need expressed by local health officials and non-profit organizations.

● Support of family, friends and well wishers.

● Partnered with Sujana foundation to pool resources for conducting cancer screening camp.

Challenges


● Lack of awareness.

● Notion that cancer is a rich man’s disease - cure is unaffordable for the poor.

● High screening costs.

Camp in pictures


Banner for the camp

Camp in pictures


People arriving at the camp

Camp in pictures


Mobile screening unit

Camp in pictures


Doctors getting ready to see patients

Camp in pictures


Patients waiting to be screened

Camp in pictures


Women waiting to be tested

Camp in pictures


Mammography machine inside mobile screening unit

Camp in pictures


Ultrasound machine in mobile screening unit

Camp in pictures


Local school children visit the camp

Camp in pictures


Volunteers who helped conduct the camp

What did we accomplish?


● Created awareness around early detection of cancer.

● Screened approximately 667 people.

● Detected cancer in 5 people.

● Provided information to patients - Further tests and treatment costs will be covered entirely by a government sponsored health plan.

● Paved way for additional camps in partnership with local non-profits.

Acknowledgements

● Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute.

● Family, friends and well wishers whose overwhelming support of Yellow Pomelo made it possible to conduct the camp at Chataparru, Andhra Pradesh (India).

● Mr. Y.S. Chowdary, Minister of State of Science & Technology


http://www.induscancer.com/




yellow pomelo cancer screening camp - ponnavaram

Health & Medicine