VISHWAJIT RANE
If there is one disease, the mention alone of which sends shivers down the spines of people all over the world for the last many centuries – it is cancer. Right since scientists came to the conclusion that it is a disease for which awareness and prevention are best bets to beat it, cancer awareness has acquired an urgency across the world. Among all States in India, Goa is on the forefront in implementing innovative strategies in spreading awareness about cancer. In addition, the State has launched several technology-backed measures for early detection, prevention and treatment of cancer.
As we observe World Cancer Day on February 4, it is my privilege to recount the extraordinary measures the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) of Government of Goa has taken to limit the cases of cancer among women and other sections of society. A notable initiative is the launch of a Mobile Cancer Van as a cancer detection unit, by which 2,794 persons have been screened so far. These include 773 males and 2,021 females. It is worthwhile to note that there were 78 cases of early detection and 13 confirmed cases.
Another unique initiative is the launch of the iBreastExam under the highly commended ‘Swasth Mahila Swasth Goa’ (SMSG) Project. It is a joint initiative of Yuvraj Singh Foundation and DHS, in collaboration with UE Life Sciences and supported by SBI Foundation. It was launched on October 26, 2021, with an aim to screen 100,000 women for breast cancer over a period of two years in Goa. The exercise involves a technology intervention in the form of iBreastExam devices. It is a matter of pride for the State that the target was successfully achieved by screening 1,11,980 women with 58 confirmed cases of breast cancer in March 2024. The programme had a great impact at the community level because of which the project has been extended till December 2025. In the second phase 29,184 women were screened, out of which 7 were diagnosed with breast cancer.
Breast cancer screening and awareness camps are being conducted in collaboration with various stakeholders like educational institutes, NGOs, religious groups, self-help groups, industries, etc. Awareness sessions on breast cancer, along with breast self-examination techniques are also conducted before every screening camp to educate women on early detection of signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Those suspected of having malignancy are referred to Goa Medical College and Hospital, District Hospitals and Sub-District Hospitals for further investigations and treatment.
The iBE Device is a unique technological innovation which works on DCPC (Dynamic Co-Planar Capacitive) pressure sensors technology that can electronically differentiate between varying tissue elasticity. Breast lumps/tumours/lesions are harder than normal breast tissue and this difference can be measured to detect breast lumps early. It can be operated by primary health care providers, it is painless, radiation-free and delivers instant report since it is ultra-portable and battery powered, as it is mobile connected, having cloud storage and analytics. The device is effective in younger women and dense breasts. It is also safe to be used during pregnancy and in lactating mothers.
Another measure involves use of Pertuzumab + Trastuzumab combo therapy which is available free for HER2+ breast cancer patients.
Lung cancer detection
Another extremely useful and effective initiative is the “Lung Cancer Early Detection” project launched in collaboration with AstraZeneca India Pharma Ltd, DHS and Qure.AI. It was launched on February 7, 2024, which uses AI-based chest X-ray technology to detect the lung nodules. The project aims to increase survival rates by screening and early detection of lung diseases, through early diagnosis and detection of lung diseases through AI interpretation of digital chest X-ray and follow-up chest CT scans. Cure.ai is the AI-based chest X-ray interpretation tool which helps in identifying lung nodules with assigned malignancy scores, which are predominantly the precursors of lung cancer. This X-ray based AI tool is accessible, affordable, scalable and adopted in healthcare system as a lung cancer screening tool. The Qure.ai’sqXR solution can identify 29 different lung conditions including lung nodules.
The qXR is currently deployed at 17 health centres having digital X-rays with internet facilities on-cloud at North Goa District Hospital, South Goa District Hospitals, Sub District Hospital Ponda, Sub District Hospital Chicalim, CHC Valpoi, CHC Pernem, CHC Canacona, CHC Curchorem, CHC Bicholim, CHC Sankhali, PHC Shiroda, PHC Aldona, PHC Quepem, PHC Balli, PHC Dharbandora, PHC Cansarvarnem and PHC Sanguem. All patients referred for the chest X-rays will be uploaded on cloud through AWS gateway for interpretation. Since the initiation of the project till December 2024; 33,149 cases have been screened and the number of cases with suspected nodules is 139. So far, only one case has been detected positive for lung cancer.
The Government of Goa is taking all possible measures to involve different stakeholders and latest technology to come out with novel solutions to different health problems. We are confident that the Goa Model of governance will continue to set new standards for all other States.
(The writer is the Minister for Health, Urban Development, Town and Country Planning, Women and Child Welfare, and Forests in Government of Goa.)