Punjab: A 35-member team of Phulkari women under the ‘Conquer Cancer’ initiative has been running cervical cancer awareness campaigns in Jalandhar for the past few years. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the country. Doctors associated with the initiative say that most women in the region lack proper information and do not get themselves checked on time. Lack of publicity or formal vaccination drives by the government and the high cost of cervical cancer vaccine are also factors behind the low awareness. The ‘Conquer Cancer’ team is working to bridge this gap. Elaborating on the campaign, Anjali Dada, head of Conquer Cancer’s Jalandhar chapter, says, “This is a social effort of ours to make Punjab free from cervical cancer. It can be prevented if women are aware of the disease and get vaccinated.
It can be cured with timely Pap smears – cervical cancer screening. We are conducting awareness campaigns in schools besides reaching out to underprivileged children. We urge both men and women to encourage as many women as possible to get vaccinated.” Advaita Tiwari, Phulkari Mahila president, said, “The cervical cancer vaccine is not cheap. It is a three-schedule vaccine. Apart from lack of awareness, a person with limited means may not be able to afford the vaccine. This is where we come in. Over the years, funds collected through various initiatives go towards vaccination drives. After identifying women in need through awareness drives, we help them get vaccinated. Dr Amita Sharma provides us with vaccines free of cost. We are also seeking sponsorship from hospitals.”
Apart from Tiwari and Dada, the strong team of ‘Conquer Cancer’ also comprises doctors, including Dr Amita Sharma, technical advisor of ‘Conquer Cancer’, Dr Neeti Chhabra, special educator and teacher, and Puja Arora and Richa Bhandari, who run the awareness campaign. A few days ago, a few enthusiastic women dressed in teal coloured saris took part in a 1-km run – ‘Teelathon’ – from Guru Govind Singh Stadium in Jalandhar, aimed at spreading awareness about cervical cancer. The proceeds from the event went towards the vaccination drive. The teal colour is central to the awareness and elimination drive for cervical cancer across the world. Dr Amit Sharna says, “Phulkari has been spreading awareness about cervical cancer, but till date, hardly 20-25 per cent of the people in the region are aware of the disease. In Australia, strict screening and vaccination have eradicated cervical cancer. But in India, there is still a doubt about it. The government is considering vaccination under a national programme.”
