Women Empowerment for Cancer Prevention and Control – lessons from Kerala State

Authors

  • R Jayakrishnan Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
  • Paul Sebastian Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
  • Kalavathy Mathur Chennath Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
  • Soya Thomas Programme Manager (Gender), Kudumbashree State Mission, Kerala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47203/IJCH.2018.v30i04.019

Keywords:

Women Empowerment, Cancer, Prevention and Control, Kerala

Abstract

Background: Common cancers occurring in India are either preventable or curable, if detected early. Women’s organisation in Kerala working for poverty eradication was utilized to disseminate the message of cancer prevention in a southern district of Kerala state. Objectives: To create awareness among the community on cancer prevention and motivate them for early detection utilizing trained volunteers. Material and methods: Based on the three-tier system of functioning, master trainers at the top level of the organization were trained initially on primary prevention and early detection of common cancers viz. oral and breast. The trained resource persons further conducted awareness programmes in the second level and later at the grass root level also called the Neighborhood groups. Results: 174 master trainers were trained initially and further utilized to sensitize 920 members at the second level. At the NHG level, 1,00,257 volunteers were sensitized. 39169 house visits were conducted by trained volunteers to create cancer awareness in the community. Conclusion: Cancer literacy mission could effectively be implemented by empowered women in the community. Their acceptance in the community reinforces the fact that they can act both as a messenger for cancer prevention and a source of motivation for early detection.

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Author Biography

R Jayakrishnan, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Associate Professor, Division of Community Oncology  

 

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Published

2018-12-31

How to Cite

1.
Jayakrishnan R, Sebastian P, Chennath KM, Thomas S. Women Empowerment for Cancer Prevention and Control – lessons from Kerala State. Indian J Community Health [Internet]. 2018 Dec. 31 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];30(4):407-10. Available from: http://www.iapsmupuk.org/journal/index.php/IJCH/article/view/924

Issue

Section

Field Report