Case study: Role of CSRs towards creating a #CervicalCancerMuktBharat

Introduction

“Prevention is better than cure” – a proverb widely acknowledged by the medical community. Doctors often emphasize, “Hey! Come to me before it’s too late.” And when it comes to cancer, being proactive is crucial. Over the period humans have faced the wrath of numerous cancers and cervical cancer is one of them. 

Cervical cancer is a stealthy predator, which has the ability to creep in silently, making early detection and prevention essential. At the initial stage you don’t feel the presence of this predator but when it advances you start to acknowledge its presence it can make your body weak, fatigue and weight loss are common and the worst part is the leaking of urine or faeces from the vagina. 

Cervical cancer ranks fourth in the world both in terms of incidence and mortality, and second in India. Despite decreasing incidence rates, cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer in India, accounting for 10% of all female cancers. Despite ongoing prevention efforts by the government and voluntary organizations, progress has been limited. India has around 59.7 million eligible girls for vaccination and 272.8 million women eligible for screening.

Therefore, it is important to understand the threat looming around Indian females due to cervical cancer and proper actions should be taken to mitigate this challenge.

The Role of CSRs in addressing Cervical Cancer

According to the NFHS -5 data, the women who have ever undergone cervical cancer screening in India were 1.9%, ranging from 0.2% in Gujarat, Assam, and West Bengal to 9.8% in Tamil Nadu. Half of the states or UTs had screening participation of less than 1%. 

The data is alarming and we must take strong actions to fight against cervical cancer.  Fortunately, the HPV vaccine is one of the recommended interventions for cervical cancer control worldwide. It has been included in the national immunization programmes in more than 60 countries around the world.

Therefore, we need better collaboration between government and private companies to mitigate cervical cancer. As stated earlier HPV vaccination is the need of the hour therefore, CSRs along with the government should take the leadership role in vaccinating the masses.

HPV Vaccination drive by Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company in Collaboration with CANCER PATIENTS AIDS ASSOCIATION (CPAA) 

The program aims to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients and their families. It offers crucial support through financial assistance, counselling, and awareness campaigns, providing comprehensive care and empowering patients in their fight against cervical cancer.

Duration Assessed: FY 2020-21 

Location spread: Mumbai, Maharashtra 

Sampling: 28 patients and family members, 3 hospital staff and 5 HPV vaccine beneficiaries, among other relevant stakeholders.

Result: The program has received positive feedback, with 87% of participants rating it as effective. Notably, 85% of beneficiaries received crucial support in hygiene, infection prevention, and nutrition, while 38% benefited from medicine support. This initiative has not only enhanced decision-making abilities but also significantly reduced patient anxiety and stress. By making health treatments more affordable, the program showcases its impactful implementation.

BMC and Prayas’ innovative solution to cervical cancer

The program aimed to improve cervical cancer screening and prevention of cervical cancer through an innovative mobile cervical cancer unit in the Pune, Maharashtra region. 

Duration Assessed: 2019-20

Location Spread: Pune, Maharashtra 

Sampling: Screened 3,807 women and treated 85 women.

Result: The mobile cervical cancer care solution has been a transformative force for underprivileged women, offering both counselling and treatment through a mobile screening clinic. This innovative clinic efficiently screened and treated 40-50 women per drive, through trained nurses and a licensed doctor on board. The cherry on the cake was the screening process, completed within five minutes with a high effectiveness rate.                             

Furthermore, Prayas has been instrumental in ensuring that HPV vaccines are not only available but also accessible at subsidized costs. Additionally, this intervention has encompassed a wide spectrum of activities, including mobilization, education, screening, counselling, and treatment for women across the region.

At last the digital data entry has updated the patient's history, in the international health portal. Overall, this initiative has strengthened progress and empowerment in addressing cervical cancer in underprivileged communities.

#CervicalCancerMuktBharat by Caped India in collaboration with different CSRs to fight against Cervical Cancer 

Cancer Awareness Prevention and Early Detection Trust is a community outreach organisation working in the healthcare domain since its inception in 2014. Their core area of work is cervical cancer prevention and early detection. 

Duration Assessed: 2017-23

Location Spread: Across India 

Sampling: Till March 2023 31,711 people have been screened across 453 screening camps. 

Result: The impact of the program has reached nearly 47.5 million individuals through 453 screening camps and 491 awareness activities. This extensive effort has led to the effective screening of 31,711 individuals, uncovering approximately 4,500 abnormal cases. Furthermore, the program has provided essential support to 291 patients for further diagnosis, emphasizing its commitment to comprehensive healthcare.

Conclusion

Cervical cancer is one of the hazardous diseases that can dangerously harm the human body. The Government of India has already shown a positive commitment to fight against cervical cancer through a free HPV vaccination drive. However, to effectively address this issue, increased collaborative efforts from CSR initiatives and implementing agencies are essential. These collaborations can enhance education and awareness about the severity of cervical cancer while supporting the government’s vaccination efforts. 

The above three case studies underscore the vital role of CSR initiatives and implementing agencies in combating cervical cancer. The efforts by Aditya Birla, in collaboration with the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), have not only assisted women in preventing cervical cancer but also aimed to reduce the stress and anxiety of those affected through a comprehensive counseling process. Additionally, the innovative approach by Prayas and BMC Care, through the introduction of Mobile Cervical Care units, has enabled women from low-income backgrounds to undergo screening and register in the international health portal. Lastly, the #CervicalCancerMuktBharat initiative by Caped India demonstrates a nationwide effort to mitigate the risks of cervical cancer, and highlights that where there is a will to help, there is always a way.

Combating cervical cancer requires a concerted, collaborative effort. By working together, we can help India achieve its SDG-3 goal of ensuring good health and well-being for all.

To all CSR companies interested in making a significant impact in the fight against cervical cancer, we invite you to join us in this crucial mission. Collaborating with us allows you to leverage our expertise in designing impactful projects tailored to your goals. Together with Jivika Healthcare, the pioneers behind India's first doctor-based mobile vaccination service, VaccinationOnWheels, we can ensure efficient and widespread HPV vaccination. Reach out to us to create a #CervicalCancerMuktBharat and make a lasting difference in the lives of countless women.