Amravati:The statewide survey by the health department has identified 34,653 suspected cancer patients in Andhra Pradesh so far out of 30.27 lakh people who participated in the screening.
The initial part of the state's first-of-its-kind survey was undertaken for nearly a month, from November 14 to December 18, to identify persons with suspected cancer symptoms, with healthcare personnel going door-to-door to screen for early symptoms.
Last month, the Andhra Pradesh government implemented a statewide cancer screening program for adults over the age of 18 to minimise cancer-related morbidity and death. In 2022, the state recorded 73,536 cancer cases, with 40,307 cancer-related fatalities. The state has a population of around 4 crore persons over the age of 18, of which 2 crore are women.
1500 Teams Conduct Survey
The survey is part of a broader study to identify people having a chance of developing cancer and other lifestyle diseases, including diabetes, heart diseases, and kidney diseases. This is the first time cancer screening has been included in the Lifestyle Diseases Survey, which the state held in the past. Over 15,000 teams are doing the screening in cities and villages, under the guidance of specialists from the Homi Bhabha Cancer Institute in Visakhapatnam.