Page 76 - Essentia Vol 5 Issue 1

VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026 VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026
A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION

Community Outreach Programme
Overcoming Ê Fear of cancer
Bringing Barriers to diagnosis and
misconceptions about
Cancer Care Screening Ê Belief that screening is
the disease

Closer to the People of unnecessary without
symptoms
Karbi Anglong Ê Long travel distances,
transport costs and
loss of daily wages

communities, the programme has made cancer
prevention more accessible and inclusive. It works
Rebika Teronpi closely with health workers, community leaders
District Coordinator, COP and village volunteers, whose involvement builds
Diphu Cancer Centre trust and encourages participation, and who act as
important links between healthcare providers and
the community.
To address this, ACCF teams regularly conduct
awareness sessions and one-to-one counselling,
arbi Anglong, with its rolling hills, rich cultural helping community members understand that early
heritage and diverse communities, is one detection can significantly improve outcomes.
Kof Assam’s most beautiful districts. But its
geography and scattered settlements have long Strengthening referral pathways
made healthcare access difficult. For years, people COP also plays a key role in patient navigation
in remote villages had limited access to cancer and referral. Individuals identified during outreach
awareness, screening, diagnosis and treatment, activities are guided to appropriate facilities for
often resulting in delayed detection and poor further evaluation and treatment. This link between
outcomes. communities and healthcare institutions has grown

Taking healthcare to the people stronger with the Health Kiosk established at Diphu
Medical College and Hospital in 2021, alongside
Recognising these challenges, ACCF began services at Diphu Cancer Centre.
cancer prevention and early detection activities
in Karbi Anglong in 2020. A key part of this effort Looking ahead
has been the Community Outreach Programme Over the years, COP has contributed to greater
(COP), which bridges the gap between healthcare awareness, better participation in screening, and
facilities and communities living in remote and improved access to cancer care across Karbi
hard-to-reach areas. Through awareness sessions, Anglong, helping build a culture of preventive
screening camps and community engagement, healthcare. As ACCF continues its mission to
COP has spread key messages on cancer reduce the burden of cancer, COP remains a
prevention, early detection, healthy lifestyles and cornerstone of that work, showing that meaningful
tobacco cessation. healthcare improvement is possible when services
One of COP’s greatest strengths is its ability to are brought closer to people and awareness
reach people where they live. Many individuals becomes a shared responsibility. In Karbi Anglong,
struggle to travel to healthcare facilities because of the Community Outreach Programme is not just
distance, transport costs and loss of daily wages. a healthcare initiative; it is a pathway to healthier
By bringing awareness and screening closer to communities and a brighter future.

76 Avoid tobacco in all forms and stay away from secondhand smoke. 77