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Andhra Pradesh’s medical and health department has reported significant findings from its ongoing statewide cancer screening initiative under the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) 3.0 survey. The campaign, which targets individuals over 18, aims to detect oral, breast, and cervical cancers early through door-to-door screenings across all 26 districts.
Key Findings from the Screening Drive
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Out of 1,367 suspected cancer cases examined at Preventive Oncology Units (POUs), 117 individuals were diagnosed with malignant cancers, and 53 were found to have pre-malignant conditions.
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The state has screened 69% of its target population, identifying 4.10 crore people for oral cancer screening and successfully screening 2.84 crore of them.
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For breast cancer, 2.07 crore women were identified, with 1.46 crore screened so far. Among 47,854 suspects, 51 cases were confirmed as malignant.
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In cervical cancer screening, 2.07 crore women were targeted, and 1.46 crore have been screened. Of 50,028 suspects, 19 cases were found to be malignant.
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The campaign’s door-to-door approach led to the identification of 1.02 crore suspected cases by Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs). At the Primary Health Centre (PHC) level, 87,045 people were examined by medical officers, and 489 were further assessed at POUs in 17 government medical colleges.
Challenges and Recommendations
Health officials noted a higher turnout for screening in rural areas, attributed to familiarity with local healthcare workers. In contrast, urban residents have shown reluctance, often mistaking the screenings for private initiatives and expressing concerns about data privacy.
During a review meeting, Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav discussed the results with government advisor Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu and special chief secretary MT Krishna Babu. Dr. Dattatreyudu recommended that the government declare cancer a notifiable disease to improve tracking and trend analysis. He also urged the creation of a centralized dashboard detailing available cancer testing and treatment services in both public and private sectors.
The government is also focusing on developing major hospitals, including King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam, TATA Trust Hospital, and general hospitals in Guntur, Kurnool, and Tirupati, as central hubs for cancer care in the state.
“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.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information reported by ET HealthWorld and reflects the findings and recommendations of Andhra Pradesh’s health authorities as of June 2025. The data and statements provided are for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For personal health concerns or screening, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.
