Women unite against cervical cancer
A 35-member team under the ‘Conquer Cancer’ initiative of Phulkari Women has been spearheading a cervical cancer awareness drive in Jalandhar for the last few years.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the country. Doctors associated with the initiative say majority women, in the region, lack proper knowledge and also don’t go for timely screening.
The lack of publicity or formal immunisation drives by the government and the high cost of cervical cancer vaccine are also the factors behind low awareness. The ‘Conquer Cancer’ team is working to eliminate this gap.
Elaborating on the drive, Anjali Dada, head, Jalandhar Chapter of Conquer Cancer, says, “Ours is a social endeavour under which we want to make Punjab cervical cancer free. It’s preventable if women know about the condition and get vaccinated. With timely pap smears — screening for cervical cancer — it can be cured. We are carrying out awareness drives at schools, besides reaching out to underprivileged children. We urge both men and women to encourage more women to go for immunisation.”
Phulkari Women president Advaita Tiwari said, “The cervical cancer vaccine isn’t affordable. It’s a three-schedule vaccine. Besides the lack of awareness, a person with limited means may not be able to afford the vaccine. That is where we come in. In the last few years, funds collected through various initiatives go to the immunisation drives. Once we identify needy women through awareness drives, we help them get vaccinated. Dr Amita Sharma provides us with the vaccines free of cost. We are seeking sponsorship from hospitals too.”
Apart from Tiwari and Dada, the robust ‘Conquer Cancer’ team has doctors on board, including Dr Amita Sharma, technical adviser for ‘Conquer Cancer’; and Dr Neeti Chabra, special educator and teacher and Pooja Arora and Richa Bhandari, who facilitate awareness campaigns.
A few days ago, a bunch of passionate women dressed in teal saris, participated in 1-km run — ‘Tealathon’ — from the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Jalandhar to spread awareness on cervical cancer. The proceeds from the event went to an immunisation drive. Teal is the colour for cervical cancer awareness and elimination campaign across the world.
Dr Amit Sharna says, “Phulkari has been creating awareness on cervical cancer, but till date hardly 20-25 per cent people in the area know about the disease. In Australia, cervical cancer has been eradicated with stringent screening and vaccination. But a scepticism about it still prevails in India. The government is considering to take immunisation under the national programme.”
Punjab