The pilot program will provide free screenings and raise awareness about the importance of early detection. It also plans to establish partnerships with local healthcare providers to ensure accessibility and follow-up care for women who require further treatment.

The State’s Health Department will invite women over 30 years old in four districts of Tamil Nadu to get screened for breast and cervix cancers. This is part of a population-based cancer screening program.

The Health Department plans to launch a cancer screening program in Ranipet, Tirupattur, Erode, and Kanyakumari, with the program expected to launch within a month.

Before, they only screened women who visited health centers for check-ups or health problems. Now, they want to do screening for the entire population, which is more challenging. T. S. Selvavinayagam, the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, shared this information.

In this program, the health staff will find all women above 30 in a specific area. They will make a list of these women and give them a letter inviting them to get screened for cancer. About half of them may come for the screening initially, and the other half will be called back later. The program will involve village health nurses, women's health volunteers, and staff nurses.

The Initial screening will happen at the Primary Health Centre. The most practical way to screen a large number of people is through Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid for cervical cancer and breast self-examination for breast cancer, according to the official.

He emphasized that every woman should regularly perform self-examinations and return if they notice even the slightest concern. If there is any suspicion during a clinical examination, a mammogram will be conducted.

The official mentioned that they would try to find the nearest health center. If someone is diagnosed with cancer, they will create a record for that person. The person will undergo a colposcopy, and if there’s a suspected abnormality, a histopathology test will follow. Based on the diagnosis, treatment will begin.

They expect that women will gradually come forward for screening. Women with negative results will be screened again after three years. For those diagnosed with cancer, there are treatment packages available under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. This approach aims to proactively help women in need, according to Dr. Selvavinayagam.