Chennai to Launch Women's Cancer Screening Centre by February
New Cancer Screening Facility in Chennai
Chennai, January 1: A new public cancer screening centre dedicated to women's health is set to open in Thousand Lights, Chennai, by February.
This facility, which is being developed at an investment of Rs 1.23 crore, will provide complimentary screening services for breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers, which are prevalent among women in Tamil Nadu.
The three-story centre will be managed by the Health Department of the Greater Chennai Corporation and will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding Sundays.
It will feature a mammogram unit for breast cancer detection, a laboratory for Pap smear tests aimed at identifying cervical cancer, and an ultrasound facility for assessing abdominal and ovarian cancers.
A consultation room will also be included in the centre. Although government hospitals offer various diagnostic services at no cost, advanced cancer screening tests like mammograms often necessitate private healthcare.
This new initiative seeks to fill that gap and promote early diagnosis, particularly for women from lower-income backgrounds.
Thousand Lights MLA Dr. Ezhilan Naganathan announced the project, highlighting its inception as a response to the increasing cancer burden in Tamil Nadu.
"My goal was to create a free and accessible cancer screening facility for women in the city. Early detection can greatly enhance survival rates. We also intend to establish a comprehensive data registry for all women screened, which will aid in research and long-term cancer prevention efforts," he stated.
Dr. J. Amalorpavanathan, a member of the State Planning Commission, remarked that the timing of this facility is critical, as Tamil Nadu represents 6.4% of India's total cancer cases while comprising only 5.6% of the national population.
He pointed out that cervical cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers among women in rural areas, while urban settings are experiencing a notable increase in breast cancer cases. This rise is often attributed to lifestyle changes, delayed marriages, and late childbirth.