“Doctor, I have two little children… it’s when I think of them,” the young woman sobbed, her voice breaking.

But Dr A P Neethu of the community oncology wing at the Malabar Cancer Centre reassured her with a smile. “Mammogram doesn’t mean you have cancer. It’s simply an examination to detect whether cancer is present. If the results are clear, you can live more peacefully and happily.”

But her fears did not ease until the results came. When she learned she was free of cancer, she returned to Dr Neethu with her infant children and a box of sweets. “Doctor, I was terrified when asked to do a mammogram after my pap smear. I kept worrying about who would raise my children if I was diagnosed at such a young age. Now I feel relieved.”

She was one among hundreds of women who came in tears to Dr.Neethu but later left with a smile. These countless smiles form the essence of the globally acclaimed ‘Kannapuram Model’, which marks the story of a little village’s fight against cancer through awareness and early detection.

Health experts worldwide have taken note ever since the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) South-East Asia Journal published an article on the project. Health experts from far and wide have begun arriving in Kannapuram to study the model firsthand. For nine years, with support from the Malabar Cancer Centre (MCC) in Thalasseri, the Kannapuram Panchayat has been implementing the initiative, collecting data from all 4,531 families and involving everyone in detection camps.

“We started with the idea that people should come for cancer detection with the same ease as visiting a hospital for fever or cold. Though it was tough in the beginning, we managed to build awareness that cancer can be cured if detected early,” said former Panchayat President K V Ramakrishnan, who initiated the project. Launched on January 23, 2016, the project continues with the same passion under the present Panchayat committee. President K Rathy has taken the lead, even learning Hindi to communicate with migrant workers, a large community in the Panchayat. Once it was found that tobacco and drug use, both cancer triggers, are widespread among migrants, awareness programmes were launched with Dr. Asha, proficient in Hindi, spearheading the efforts.

To families with questions
The project was born out of concern for the crushing financial burden faced by families of cancer patients. The Panchayat leadership was convinced that the key was to spread awareness that cancer, when detected early, is curable. When MCC Director Dr Satheesh Balasubramanyam was approached, he pledged full support and the project was formally launched on January 23, 2016.

The first step was a health survey. Within a month, data from all households were collected. The next step was to identify cancer patients and those with preliminary symptoms. That was when the deep fear surrounding cancer became evident among the people. While people readily disclosed information about cholesterol and diabetes, but when asked about cancer, the response was silence. It became clear that only by addressing this fear could the project progress.

The awareness campaign was launched alongside the Vishuvilakku festival at Cherukunnu Temple. MCC displayed awareness boards, while expert doctors conducted classes. A gathering of cancer survivors was also organised, drawing many to hear their stories.

With women comprising 55% of the Panchayat’s population, special focus was placed on awareness of breast and cervical cancers. Initiatives like a `picture journey' led by artist Aby N Joseph also helped spread the message. These efforts eventually started bearing fruit. over 3,000 women above 30 attended a breast cancer detection camp, of which 203 were referred for mammograms. Only three required treatment.

Panchayat remains steadfast
Panchayat also stood firm in ensuring treatment after detection camps, bearing all expenses for tests,” said K V Ramakrishnan, who was instrumental in launching the project. Kannapuram became the first Panchayat in the State to start a preliminary cancer detection centre. Nurses and health workers trained by MCC now conduct examinations and collect samples. Detection camps are held every second and third Friday of the month.

Kannapuram also leads in implementing State health department programmes like `Arogyam, Aanandam -Akattam Arbutham' (Health, happiness and keeping cancer away).