Cancer Screening CampChataparru, Andhra Pradesh, India
Pratik Mulpury
Feb 20-21, 2016
Inspiration
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● Loss of close family and friends. My neighbor passed away after fighting cancer. My aunt and grand uncle passed away after battling cancer a year ago.
● Rapidly growing epidemic in India.
● Feedback from telemedicine project was to provide cancer screening in rural areas. The need was overwhelming.
● Incredible support from friends and family.
Current Situation
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● 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
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Cancer Screening Benefits
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● Survival rates improve dramatically when cancer is diagnosed early.
Cancer Screening Project
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● Conduct cancer screening camps in rural India with partnership with Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute.
● Screening provided at no charge.
● Tests include Mammograms, Ultrasounds, X-rays and Pap tests.
● Raised over $12,000 to fund the project via crowdfunding, email campaigns and corporate matching.
● Initial camp covered 23,000 people in Chataparru and neighboring villages of Andhra Pradesh.
Where is Chataparru?
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Why Chataparru?
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● Strong family ties - my grandfather’s village.
● Need expressed by local health officials and non-profit organizations.
● Support of family, friends and well wishers.
Challenges
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● Lack of awareness.
● Notion that cancer is a rich man’s disease - cure is unaffordable for the poor.
● High screening costs.
Camp in pictures
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View from the camp...
Camp in pictures
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Mobile screening unit
Camp in pictures
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Amazing support from family, friends and government officials including the Member of Parliament, Mr. Maganti Babu
Camp in pictures
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Kick-off speeches
Camp in pictures
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Approximately 700 people were screened
Camp in pictures
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Registration Desk - The majority of attendees were women.
Camp in pictures
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Blood pressure and weight were checked prior to consultation with doctor
Camp in pictures
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Doctor examining a patient
Camp in pictures
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Doctor prescribing medication
Camp in pictures
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Vitamins and supplements were provided to participants
Camp in pictures
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Women waiting in queue for consultation
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With Basavatarakam Hospital’s team of doctors, nurses, technicians and volunteers
Camp in pictures
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With volunteer nurses from local health centers
Camp in pictures
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More volunteers who helped conduct the camp
What did we accomplish?
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● Created awareness around early detection of cancer.
● Screened approximately 700 people.
● Detected cancer in 5 people.
● Two of the patients have already started treatment. Treatment costs are covered entirely by a government sponsored health plan.
● Paved way for future cancer screening camps.
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).
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Questions
● Send email to [email protected]
● Visit www.yellowpomelo.org
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