Evaluating the Feasibility of Mobile Screening Units for Early Detection of Cancer in the Community
Jayanta Chakrabarti, Ranajit Mandal, Manisha Vernekar, Dipanwita Banerjee, Arunabha Sengupta, Sreeya BoseAbstract
Background:
Mobile screening units (MSUs) offer an effective approach to increasing access to cancer screening and reducing geographical and financial barriers. This study reports the outcomes of MSUs in cervical, breast, and oral cancer screening.
Methodology:
The MSU was integrated into a bus with three compartments, with designated areas for registration, cervical cancer screening, oral visual examination (OVE), and mammography. Between May 2023 and August 2024, 178 community camps were held in Kolkata and nearby districts. A total of 6205 women underwent cervical, breast, and oral cancer screening. Women aged 30–60 years were screened for cervical cancer by high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) DNA test while breast cancer screening was conducted using clinical breast examination. Any abnormal findings on examination were referred for mammography.
Results:
HrHPV positivity was detected in 323 (5.3%) women by Cobas assay. Following this, 218 women were referred for colposcopy and treatment. Following clinical breast examination, 316 women were referred for mammography. In addition, 28 women with suspicious breast lesions were referred to the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute for further management. Abnormal OVE was diagnosed in 18 women who were advised to quit tobacco.
Conclusion:
MSUs serve as a valuable tool for expanding access to cancer screening in resource-limited settings and reduce the global burden of preventable cancers as well as meet cancer screening targets.