Preventive Healthcare in Action: Swasthyarekha's Outreach Camp at Bishnupur Gram Panchayat.

Preventive Healthcare in Action: Swasthyarekha's Outreach Camp at Bishnupur Gram Panchayat.

On July 27, 2026, the Swasthyarekha team, in association with the Yuva Vikash Foundation, Balasore, conducted a Mega Cancer & NCD Screening Camp at the Bishnupur Gram Panchayat Office in Baliapal, Balasore. From 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the camp brought preventive healthcare services directly to the community, ensuring residents received comprehensive health assessments alongside cancer screening.

Before Cancer Screening Comes Comprehensive Health Assessment

The day began with participant registration, where demographic details, medical history, tobacco and alcohol habits, family history of cancer, and existing health concerns were documented for all 85 participants.

Before any cancer screening was performed, each participant underwent a comprehensive NCD assessment, including measurement of:

· Height and weight

· Blood pressure

· Random blood sugar

· Oxygen saturation (SpO₂)

· Heart rate

· Body Mass Index (BMI)

Written informed consent was obtained before any cancer screening procedures were initiated.

This approach reflects Swasthyarekha's philosophy that preventive healthcare should never focus on a single disease. By combining NCD assessment with cancer screening, participants receive a broader understanding of their health while reducing the need for multiple healthcare visits.

Why Combined NCD and Cancer Screening Makes a Difference

Community-based health camps become significantly more effective when multiple health conditions are addressed together rather than separately.

Shared Risk Factors

Many of the same lifestyle habits, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, obesity, and physical inactivity, increase the risk of both cancer and non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. A single counselling session therefore helps participants reduce their risk of several chronic illnesses simultaneously.

One Visit, Multiple Health Benefits

Travelling to healthcare facilities can be challenging for many rural families. By integrating NCD assessment with cancer screening, participants receive comprehensive preventive healthcare in one convenient visit.

Everyone Benefits

Not every participant is diagnosed with a suspicious lesion or abnormality, but every individual leaves with valuable information about their blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI, and overall health status. This transforms the screening camp into a meaningful health check-up for every attendee.

The Numbers from Bishnupur

The camp successfully screened 85 participants, all of whom received comprehensive NCD assessments and oral cancer awareness counselling.

For oral cancer screening, 46 participants underwent examination using the Oral scan device, which digitally captures oral images and assists in identifying suspicious lesions. One participant was found to have a suspicious oral lesion requiring further diagnostic evaluation and was advised to visit the Swasthyarekha centre for confirmatory diagnosis. The remaining participants were encouraged to continue periodic oral screening, particularly those with tobacco-related risk factors.

Breast cancer awareness counselling was provided to all eligible women attending the camp. 32 women underwent Clinical Breast Examination (CBE), while 24 participants so consented to screening with the BR Scan device. During breast screening, one participant was identified with a suspected abnormality and referred for further diagnostic assessment and specialist consultation. Participants with normal findings were advised to continue regular breast screening and perform routine breast self-examinations.

Building a Community-Based Cancer Care Ecosystem

The Bishnupur camp reflects Swasthyarekha's vision of building a comprehensive cancer care ecosystem that extends far beyond a single screening event.

Early detection is only the beginning. Every participant becomes part of a structured care pathway that includes health education, risk assessment, screening, referral for confirmatory diagnosis where necessary, and continued follow-up.

Whether someone is identified with elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, a suspicious oral lesion, or a possible breast abnormality, the objective remains the same: ensuring that no health concern is overlooked and every individual receives appropriate guidance for the next step in their healthcare journey.

What Happens Next

The immediate priority following the camp is ensuring timely follow-up for the one participant with a suspected oral lesion and the one participant with a suspected breast abnormality. Both have been advised to undergo confirmatory investigations and specialist consultation to facilitate early diagnosis and if required, appropriate treatment.

The Bishnupur Mega Cancer & NCD Screening Camp further strengthens Swasthyarekha's ongoing mission of expanding preventive healthcare services across Odisha. Through partnerships with community organisations such as the Yuva Vikash Foundation, Balasore, the initiative continues to make early detection, health awareness, and accessible screening available to populations that need them most.

Early Detection. Better Care. Healthier Communities.