Screening Programmes

Population-based District Cancer Education and Screening Programs are conducted across six districts of Tamil Nadu:

• Chennai / Kanchipuram

• Villupuram

• Thiruvallur

• Pudukkottai

• Thiruvannamalai

• Sivagangai

Target Population: Women aged 30–65 years

Comprehensive Screening Modalities

• HPV DNA testing

• Pap smear (cytology)

• VIA / VILI (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid / Lugol’s Iodine)

Diagnostic Services for Screen-Positive Cervix

• Colposcopy

• Colposcopy-guided biopsy for cervical pre-cancer and cancer

Treatment Services for Cervical Precancerous Lesions

• Thermal ablation

• Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)

• Cryotherapy

• Cone biopsy

Target Population: Women aged 30–65 years (Mammography for women aged ≥40 years)

Screening Modalities & Education

• Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)

• Breast Self-Examination (BSE) education

• Baseline mammography (for women aged ≥40 years)

The Resource Center for Tobacco Control conducts oral cancer screening and offers tobacco cessation support for people who use tobacco. The programme includes oral health education, risk-factor awareness and clinical examination by trained healthcare professionals. The programme also shares information on avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, maintaining oral health, and seeking timely care for persistent symptoms.

What the screening involves

A trained clinician examines the mouth and, where appropriate, the face, jaw and neck for visible or palpable abnormalities. Screening may help identify changes that need further assessment, but it is not a definitive diagnosis. If an unusual or suspicious condition is found, the person will be advised about appropriate follow-up or referral. Clinical examination can identify visible lesions, but screening does not replace diagnostic assessment or biopsy when indicated.

Who should consider screening?

People who use or have used tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and those who consume alcohol, may benefit from discussing their risk with a healthcare professional. Anyone with an unexplained mouth ulcer, red or white patch, lump, persistent pain, difficulty swallowing, or other mouth change that does not resolve should seek professional evaluation especially if it persists for more than two to three weeks. Oral cancer can be painless in its early stages, so persistent changes should not be ignored.

Want to enroll for tobacco cessation and oral cancer screening?

Screening services are offered by the Department of Psycho-oncology & Resource Center for Tobacco Control at Cancer Institute (WIA). For details about eligibility, venue or appointments, please contact +91-9361253392 or visit Tobacco Cessation Clinic, Cancer Institute (WIA).

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The Resource Center for Tobacco Control organizes lung cancer screening and offers tobacco cessation support for people aged 40 years and above, currently smoking or have smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day, for more than 20 years. This programme shares information on avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, maintaining health, and seeking timely care for persistent symptoms.

What the screening involves

For eligible individuals, a clinician may discuss the potential benefits, limitations and possible harms of LDCT before deciding whether screening is appropriate. Screening can also lead to follow-up scans or other tests for findings that are not cancer, so assessment and follow-up should be coordinated by an experienced clinical team. Screening may help identify changes that need further assessment, but it is not a definitive diagnosis. If unusual or suspicious condition is found, the person will be advised about appropriate follow-up or referral.

Want to enroll for tobacco cessation and lung cancer screening?

Screening services are offered by the Department of Psycho-oncology & Resource Center for Tobacco Control at Cancer Institute (WIA). For details about eligibility, venue or appointments, please visit the Tobacco Cessation Clinic, Cancer Institute (WIA).

• Referral of all screen-positive individuals for confirmatory diagnosis

• Referral of all diagnosed cases for initiation of treatment

• Follow-up of all cases undergoing treatment to ensure completion

• Regular (vital) follow-up of treated cases for monitoring and outcomes

• Follow-up of defaulters to ensure continuity of care

1. Screening: Get screened for oral, cervical, and breast cancers.

2. If Any Abnormality Is Found (Screen Positive): You will be guided for diagnostic tests to confirm the condition.

3. Further Tests (Diagnosis): Comprehensive confirmatory diagnostic testing and evaluation.

4. If Confirmed: Personalized treatment planning by multidisciplinary oncology team.

5. Start Treatment: Our team will help you begin the right treatment at the earliest.

6. Continue Treatment: Regular follow-ups to support you in completing your treatment.

7. After Treatment Care: Ongoing check-ups to ensure your long-term health and well-being.

8. We Stay Connected: We follow up with you to make sure you don’t miss care and stay on track.