By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Around 14,070 patients from the remote areas of the State underwent examination in the 175 cancer check up camps held from January to December 2012 conducted by the Roko Cancer Charitable Trust.
Since its inception in February 2010 under the guidance of the Area Director, Geeta Sarin, the entire team of the trust has been spreading awareness about the dreaded disease by means of counseling, talks by doctors, distribution of pamphlets and screening documentaries.
“Our motto is to empower the people to understand the gravity of the deadly disease, Cancer, and for the past two years, we have been actively involved in organising cancer check up camps for the welfare of the community people, free of cost,” Sarin said adding that 16 camps were being held every month in the city and its suburbs.
With a new office launched in Tura in August, 66 camps have been organised and 7384 patients have been screened.
With a mobile unit which is the first of its kind in northeast having mammogram machine and processing units for screening breast cancer, the trust has been able to reach out to the people in the rural areas.
“With the response of the people, lives of many high risk and positive patients suffering from oral, cervix and breast cancer have been saved due to timely screening treatment and counseling,” Sarin added.
In its endeavour to reach out to the people in the urban area, the trust will organise a mega health camp at Assam Club, Laban opposite Presbyterian Church on February 4 coinciding with the World Cancer Day.