Govt's cancer screening initiative reveals 117 cases in malignant stage
1
2
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh's medical and health department has made significant progress in its cancer screening initiative under the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) 3.0 survey.
As part of the survey, the department conducted door-to-door screenings for oral, breast, and cervical cancers across the state, targeting people aged above 18 years.
The survey revealed that out of 1,367 cancer suspects examined at Preventive Oncology Units (POUs), 117 individuals were diagnosed with various types of cancer in the malignant stage, while 53 cases were detected in the pre-malignant stage. The department has screened 69% of the target population across all 26 districts in the state, identifying 4.10 crore people for Oral cancer screening and screening 2.84 crore individuals.
There were 1.02 crore suspect cases found by ANMs during the door-to-door screening, and 87,045 people were examined by medical officers (MOs) at the PHC level, out of which 489 individuals were examined at POUs set up at the 17 govt medical colleges in the state.
You Can Also Check:
Vijayawada AQI
|
Weather in Vijayawada
|
Bank Holidays in Vijayawada
|
Public Holidays in Vijayawada
Similarly, a total of 2.07 crore females were identified for Breast cancer screening, out of which 1.46 crore people were screened so far. There were 47,854 suspect cases identified by ANMs, and 634 were examined at POUs, with 51 diagnosed at the malignant stage.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Illinois: Gov Will Cover Your Cost To Install Solar If You Live In These Zips
SunValue
Learn More
Undo
For cervical cancer, a total of 2.07 crore females were identified for screening, out of which 1.46 crore individuals were screened. There were 50,028 suspect cases, and 244 cases were examined at POUs, with 19 cases detected in the malignant stage.
"People living in rural areas are turning up in good numbers for cancer screening, given they are familiar with the healthcare personnel working in their localities. However, people residing in urban areas are reluctant to provide their details as they are mistaking that these cancer screening tests are being conducted by private hospitals and suspect misuse of data," an NCD consultant overseeing the cancer screening tests told TOI.
Meanwhile, health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav reviewed the cancer screening survey result analysis with government advisor for cancer diseases and world-renowned Oncologist Dr Nori Dattatreyudu and special chief secretary (medical and health) MT Krishna Babu on Tuesday.
Dr Dattatreyudu suggested the govt to immediately issue a notification notifying cancer as a notifiable disease to maintain a reporting system to keep track of the disease trends in the state.
He also suggested the govt to set up a dashboard with details on the range of cancer testing and treatment services available at both govt and private hospitals in the state.
Meanwhile, Krishna Babu mentioned that the state govt is developing King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam, TATA Trust Hospital, and govt general hospitals (GGHs) in Guntur, Kurnool, and Tirupati as main hubs for providing cancer care in the state.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
18 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Woman dies of cancer at 23 despite 80% survival chance; her brothers are now blaming mom's anti-medicine theories for it
Kate Shemirani's daughter, Paloma, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer. Despite doctors informing her that she had an 80 percent chance of survival with chemotherapy, Paloma refused treatment and instead opted for alternative therapies, reportedly under her mother's influence. She died in July 2024 at the age of 23. Also read | World Cancer Day 2025: Cancer spreads from person to person? Here are 4 most common myths and facts about the disease Kate Shemirani's daughter Paloma was diagnosed with cancer. Paloma's brothers blame their mother's anti-medicine conspiracy theories for her death. (Pic courtesy: In a June 23 interview with BBC Panorama, Paloma's brothers, Gabriel and Sebastian Shemirani, blamed their mother Kate's anti-medicine conspiracy theories for her death. They said that Kate's influence led Paloma to reject chemotherapy and medical treatment. Kate Shemirani is a former nurse whose registration was cancelled reportedly due to promoting misinformation about Covid-19. Kate styles herself as 'the Natural Nurse' on social media and has 'been known to spread conspiracy theories and once-fringe anti-medicine views to millions' – which her sons believe contributed to Paloma's decision to refuse cancer treatment. Paloma's elder brother Sebastian said: 'My sister has passed away as a direct consequence of my mum's actions and beliefs and I don't want anyone else to go through the same pain or loss that I have.' 'I wasn't able to stop my sister from dying' The brothers alleged that their mother texted Paloma's boyfriend, Ander, saying, "TELL PALOMA NOT TO SIGN [OR] VERBALLY CONSENT TO CHEMO OR ANY TREATMENT". The brothers further said they hope they can help prevent other deaths like Paloma's, and they believe social media companies should take stronger action against medical misinformation. 'I wasn't able to stop my sister from dying. But it would mean the world to me if I could make it that she wasn't just another in a long line of people that die in this way,' Gabriel said. According to her sons, Kate's anti-medicine views were accelerated in 2012, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Even though she had the tumour removed through surgery, she credited alternative therapies for her recovery and reportedly shared online how she used a programme including juices and coffee enemas to become 'cancer-free'. Kate Shemirani's response to son's claims Kate has not directly responded to the allegations made against her by her sons in connection with Paloma's death, but has publicly blamed the NHS (National Health Service) for her daughter's death. She and her ex-husband, Faramarz Shemirani, reportedly said they have evidence that Paloma died due to medical interventions without a confirmed diagnosis or lawful consent. However, the BBC reported it had seen no evidence to support these claims. Paloma's death highlights that it's essential to rely on credible sources and consult with healthcare professionals for accurate information about cancer. To combat cancer, it is crucial to stop believing common myths. Click here to learn about the nine most prevalent misconceptions about the disease. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Doing THIS exercise for five minutes a day can lower blood pressure, experts reveal
A recent study by the ProPASS Consortium reveals that even brief bursts of physical activity, as little as five minutes daily, can significantly lower blood pressure. Replacing sedentary habits with 20-27 minutes of exercise, like uphill walking or stair climbing, can also make a clinically significant difference. High blood pressure or hypertension is a major risk factor for several serious health conditions, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and other complications. Managing blood pressure is crucial for overall health and well-being. Making certain lifestyle changes can help lower blood pressure, and one of them is regular exercise. A new study has found that even five minutes of physical activity can help manage blood pressure! According to research led by experts from the ProPASS (Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting and Sleep) Consortium, an international academic collaboration led by the University of Sydney and University College London (UCL), even small amount of physical activity, such as uphill walking or stair-climbing, can lower blood pressure. The findings are published in Circulation . What is hypertension Hypertension, or a consistently elevated blood pressure level, is one of the biggest causes of premature death globally. This condition affects 1.28 billion adults around the world. High blood pressure happens when the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels is too high. It can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney damage, and many other health problems. Due to the lack of any symptoms, it is often described as a 'silent killer'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Even five minutes of exercise matters Image Credits: Canva The researchers found that just five minutes of activity a day potentially reduces blood pressure. Also, replacing sedentary behaviours with 20-27 minutes of exercise per day made a clinically significant difference in blood pressure. These activities could be uphill walking, stair-climbing, running and cycling. 'High blood pressure is one of the biggest health issues globally, but unlike some major causes of cardiovascular mortality, there may be relatively accessible ways to tackle the problem in addition to medication. The finding that doing as little as five extra minutes of exercise per day could be associated with measurably lower blood pressure readings emphasises how powerful short bouts of higher intensity movement could be for blood pressure management,' joint senior author Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, the Director of the ProPASS Consortium from the Charles Perkins Centre, said in a statement. The study To understand how daily movement affects blood pressure, the researchers analyzed health data from 14,761 volunteers across five countries. Each participant used a wearable thigh-mounted accelerometer, which can monitor movement and blood pressure levels throughout the day and night. The researchers split the daily activity into six categories: sleep, sedentary behaviour (such as sitting), slow walking, fast walking, standing, and more vigorous exercise such as running, cycling, or stair climbing. The team used statistical models to see how swapping one activity for another would affect blood pressure . They found that replacing sedentary behaviour with 20-27 minutes of exercise per day could potentially reduce cardiovascular disease by up to 28% at a population level. What are the experts saying 'Our findings suggest that, for most people, exercise is key to reducing blood pressure, rather than less strenuous forms of movement such as walking. The good news is that whatever your physical ability, it doesn't take long to have a positive effect on blood pressure. What's unique about our exercise variable is that it includes all exercise-like activities, from running for a bus or a short cycling errand, many of which can be integrated into daily routines,' first author Dr. Jo Blodgett from the Division of Surgery and Interventional Science at UCL and the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health said. 'For those who don't do a lot of exercise, walking still has some positive benefits for blood pressure. But if you want to change your blood pressure, putting more demand on the cardiovascular system through exercise will have the greatest effect,' Dr. Blodgett added. Common Blood Pressure Medications Linked to Low Risk of Total Knee Replacement Professor Mark Hamer, joint senior author of the study and ProPASS Deputy Director from UCL, said: 'Our findings show how powerful research platforms like the ProPASS consortium are for identifying relatively subtle patterns of exercise, sleep, and sedentary behaviour, that have significant clinical and public health importance.' One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Wegovy enters India: Experts discuss health impact of the popular weight loss drug
New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk on Tuesday launched its once-weekly injectable weight-loss drug Wegovy in India, at Rs 4,336.25 per dose. Weight loss isn't what it used to be. The old 'eat less, move more' mantra just doesn't cut it for many people anymore, especially those dealing with hormonal, genetic, or metabolic roadblocks. Now, a powerful new tool has arrived in India's fight against obesity: Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg), the much-discussed weight loss injection that's already made waves in the U.S. and Europe. But is it just another hype-heavy fad, or is it a genuine medical breakthrough? We spoke to some of India's top endocrinologists, gynaecologists, and diabetes specialists—and their answers may surprise you. What is Wegovy? Wegovy is the brand name for a higher-dose formulation of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist originally designed to help manage type 2 diabetes. It mimics a hormone that regulates hunger and insulin levels. In simpler terms: it makes you feel full faster, eat less, and burn fat more efficiently—all while improving blood sugar control. And no, it's not a magical skinny shot. But it might be the closest modern science has come to offering one—especially for people with obesity who haven't seen results from diet and exercise alone. India's obesity epidemic: Why Wegovy's arrival matters India is now third globally for obesity and second for type 2 diabetes, according to experts like Dr Muffazal Lakdawala, Director, General Surgery and Minimal Access and Surgical Sciences, Sir H. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo N. Reliance Foundation, Hospital, Mumbai, Wegovy represents more than just another prescription drug—it's a mindset shift. 'There is no such thing as 'healthy obesity.' Even when complications are not yet visible, the long-term risks—infertility, cancer, diabetes—are very real,' he says. 'The first step is to view obesity as a disease, not a cosmetic issue.' This change in attitude could finally nudge the Indian public—and policymakers—to take weight seriously. Beyond the kilos: Wegovy's real benefits One of the most impressive things about Wegovy is that its impact goes far beyond the weighing scale. According to Dr. Ambrish Mithal, Chairman & Head of Endocrinology at Max Healthcare, it's not just about dropping a few kilos. 'Semaglutide 2.4mg enhances satiety and also reduces cardiac events by 20% in people with overweight or obesity with pre-existing heart disease,' he explains. 'That's a major breakthrough.' So while narratives may focus on rapid weight loss, doctors are more excited about what's happening inside the body—improved insulin function, reduced inflammation, and even potential neuroprotective benefits, according to Dr. A.G. Unnikrishnan, CEO of Chellaram Diabetes Institute. 'It restores blood-brain barrier integrity and improves astrocyte-vascular interaction,' he says. 'This could be a game-changer for overall metabolic health, not just weight.' A lifeline for diabetics and postpartum women Wegovy may also be a critical lifeline for people with type 2 diabetes and women struggling with postpartum weight gain or PCOS. Dr. Shashank Joshi, a prominent endocrinologist at Lilavati Hospital, explains: 'Semaglutide is valuable for diabetic patients battling obesity. What excites us most is its ability to restore metabolic homeostasis at a cellular level—it's sustainable.' Meanwhile, Dr. Rishma Pai, a top Mumbai-based gynaecologist, highlights how the drug can help break the intergenerational cycle of obesity. 'We see a rising trend of abdominal obesity in women of reproductive age. Around 12-13% of pregnant and postpartum women in India battle obesity. Wegovy, combined with lifestyle changes, can improve maternal health outcomes significantly.' Not a shortcut, but a scientific strategy The word 'weight loss drug' often gets misunderstood—thanks to the many dodgy fat burners that flooded Indian markets in the past. But doctors are clear: Wegovy is not a shortcut. It's science. Dr. V. Mohan, a leading voice in diabetes care, puts it bluntly, 'This is not just about shedding pounds. It addresses the entire obesity-diabetes-metabolic syndrome triad, which is extremely common in Indian patients. We've needed something like this for years.' Experts also see Wegovy as a much-needed alternative to bariatric surgery, especially for patients who aren't eligible or willing to go under the knife. 'It can be an adjunct for those who regain weight post-surgery or an option for those who are ineligible for it,' adds Dr. Lakdawala. So, who should be taking it? Wegovy is not for everyone. It's specifically meant for: Adults with a BMI of 30 or more (obese) Adults with a BMI of 27 or more who also have weight-related health problems like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol It's not a vanity drug. It's a prescription-only, doctor-supervised therapy that needs to be part of a broader weight loss plan that includes a balanced diet and regular movement. Risks and realities Like any drug, Wegovy isn't side-effect-free. Nausea, vomiting, constipation, and headaches are some of the commonly reported issues—especially in the early weeks. And it's not a magic wand. Once you stop taking it, the weight may come back unless long-term lifestyle changes are in place. That's why all doctors stress the importance of pairing the drug with behavioural support and nutritional guidance. "Anti-obesity medications like Wegovy must be evaluated not merely by percentage weight loss, but by their ability to change hard clinical outcomes — reducing CVD, CKD, and potentially extending life. It's time we see these therapies as tools for longevity and disease prevention, not just for the weighing scale," says Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology, Zandra Healthcare, and Co-founder of Rang De Neela Initiative. India has long treated obesity as a willpower problem rather than a medical condition. Wegovy's arrival could finally change that. If used wisely—and accessibly—Wegovy could be more than just a drug. It could be India's long-overdue wake-up call to treat obesity as the serious, system-wide condition that it truly is. Wegovy is finally in India. It's not a fad, but a clinically proven weight-loss injection that tackles metabolic dysfunction, improves heart health, and might help people with diabetes, PCOS, and obesity live better, longer lives. But it's no solo act—healthy lifestyle habits still lead the show. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
