Meghalaya Government under the ‘Meg Can Care,’ project has so far screened 46,713 people with 20,891 identified as at-risk beneficiaries.
Additionally, the State Cancer Society has screened 1,392 beneficiaries, identifying 89 confirmed cases and 71 suspected cases within the state.
‘Meg Can Care,’ launched on May 31, 2023 aims at early detection of Cancer as ‘ Prevention is better than cure’.
This initiative aims to tackle five specific cancers: Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Lung Cancer, and Oral Cancer.
It may be mentioned that according to the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR-NCDIR), the profile of cancer and related health indicators in the North-East Region – 2021 reveals concerning figures. East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya records the highest rate of Tobacco Related Cancer Reported in India, with 70.4% in males and 46.5% in females.
It was also learnt that in Meghalaya, leading anatomical sites of cancer show significant correlations with tobacco use. Oesophagus ranks highest, representing 66.9% of male cases and 43.1% of female cases.
Following closely are hypopharynx and stomach in males, while cervix-uteri and mouth are prominent in females. Nearly two-thirds of male cancers and over 40% of female cancers are attributed to tobacco use, with oesophageal cancer being the most prevalent.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to reduce tobacco consumption and improve cancer prevention efforts, particularly in high-risk populations.