Cancer-scan van helped to save 37 lives: Health min

Panaji: Health minister Vishwajit Rane has said that the ‘Cancer Detection Abhiyaan’, conducted through the ultra-modern cancer detection van, potentially helped to save 37 lives in the state. The programme commenced in July, receiving support from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as part of its CSR activities. Rane said BEL directors recently conducted an inspection of the mobile unit and praised the outstanding community work performed by the teams from GMC, health services, and Goa Dental College.

“Their efforts not only identified 28 precancerous lesions and nine confirmed cancer cases but also ensured free treatment, saving over 37 lives and setting a benchmark for public health initiatives in Goa,” Rane said. He said that under this programme, 2,115 people were successfully screened for various cancer types at nine different camps in rural areas of the state, with women making up 75% of those examined.

The cancer detection van, costing Rs 3 crore, is used for the early detection of oral, breast, and cervical cancers. The van is equipped with a blood cell counter, an immunoanalyzer, a digital mammography machine, an ultrasound machine, and facilities for colonoscopy, cryosurgery, and record-keeping.


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