National Times Bureau :- As part of a new initiative to fight cancer, more than 150 accredited social health workers (ASHA workers) have been trained to identify and diagnose early stages of cervical and breast cancer.
This program was launched in Delhi during the 31st Annual Conference held from August 8 to 10, organized by the National Association for Reproductive and Child Health of India (NARCHI) with support from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Institute at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
The training included how to recognize symptoms and follow referral protocols to ensure patients are quickly guided to diagnostic centers. It also focused on communication skills to break the stigma and fear related to cancer.
ASHA workers were introduced to simple tracking tools, both paper-based and mobile-friendly, to help record suspected cases and follow up effectively.
“Early detection can increase survival rates to over 90 percent, while late diagnosis, especially for breast, cervical, and oral cancers, has survival rates below 40 percent. By empowering our ASHA workers to spot early warning signs, we are not just waiting for the disease — we are stopping it before it reaches the ground,” said Dr. Mala Srivastava, President of NARCHI Delhi Chapter.
