Cervical cancer screening comes to Karsog

In a significant advancement for women’s healthcare in the region, the Civil Hospital, Karsog, in Mandi district has launched a dedicated screening facility for cervical (uterine) cancer. The screening service, which commenced on August 30, has been initiated under the government’s non-communicable diseases (NCD) prevention and treatment programme.

The facility was inaugurated through the efforts of Block Medical Officer (BMO) Dr Gopal Chauhan and gynaecologist Dr Ishu Mehta. On the first day of the programme, two women underwent successful cervical cancer screening.

Speaking about the development, Dr Gopal Chauhan said the screening was being conducted using the Acetic Acid Visual Inspection technique in the hospital’s minor operation theatre. This method is simple, cost-effective and highly effective for early detection.

Dr Chauhan explained that a 5% acetic acid solution is applied to the cervix and after one minute, if the cervix turns white, it indicates the need for further diagnostic procedures. If no abnormality is detected, the woman is advised to undergo the test again after five years.

“This is a crucial step in preventing cervical cancer, and the process is both safe and efficient,” he said.

Dr Chauhan is not new to cancer screening programmes. He has previously served as a state-level officer for such initiatives and is a certified Master Trainer in cancer screening, having received specialised training at the prestigious AIIMS, New Delhi.

He emphasised the importance of early detection, noting, “Cervical cancer is completely treatable if diagnosed in its early stages. Through this facility, we aim to safeguard the health of women in the Karsog region.”

Dr Ishu Mehta, a dedicated and hardworking gynaecologist, is also playing a key role in the initiative. Plans are underway to extend training to all local doctors, nurses, and Community Health Officers (CHOs) in collaboration with her. The goal is to enable the entire medical team in Karsog to identify early signs of cervical cancer, enhancing the chances of timely intervention.

Apart from Dr Chauhan and Dr Mehta, the screening team includes Ward Sister Sandhya and Staff Nurse Tina, whose contributions are pivotal to the success of the programme.

With this facility now operational, women from rural and remote areas of Karsog will no longer need to travel long distances for basic cancer screening.