PREVENTIVE ONCOLOGY
HISTORY

The cancer control activities by the Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, dates back to 1961-62 when a survey of 10,775 patients attending the primary health centres in Chingleput district for any ailment was carried out analogous to opportunistic screening for cancer. This laid the foundation for the first pilot program on cancer control by the WHO in India (Shanta, 1965; Shanta and Krishnamurthi, 1969). Due to financial limitations, we could not undertake any major control programmes for the next 20 years, except limited "opportunistic screening" in the corporation hospitals in Madras City.


This was followed by


  • Tindivanam Feasibility Study - Training of VHN for Screening Cancer Cervix (1989 - 1991).

  • South Arcot Cancer Control programme" - 1992-1998.

  • The Modified District Cancer Control Programme (MDCCP) Tiruchirapalli- 2001-2002.

  • Population Screening for Cervix., Female Breast, and Oral cancers in the Tiruvanmiyur Belt Area 2003 -2008.

  • District Cancer Screening Project - Chennai, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallore (2008-ongoing).