SVIMS ‘Pink Bus’ screens 42,000 rural women for cancer

The ‘Pink Bus’ concept introduced by Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) to diagnose and screen cancer in rural women has so far covered 42,000 people by conducting 800 camps over the last nine years.

Two pink buses reached Naravaripalle, the ancestral village of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, in Tirupati district on Wednesday for the ‘National Gynaecological Cancer Day’ event observed at its Community Health Centre.

SVIMS Director R.V. Kumar explained the importance of screening for identifying cervical cancer through Pap Smear test so as to prevent its spread.

“SVIMS offers comprehensive treatment of cancer through its medical oncology, surgical oncology and radiation oncology departments,” Dr. Kumar said.

Chandragiri MLA Pulivarthi Venkata Mani Prasad (Nani) formally inaugurated the camp and hailed SVIMS for taking cancer diagnosis seriously by reaching out to the nook and corner of Rayalaseema region.

Looking beyond breast cancer screening for women, the buses reached out to the male folk and screened them for mouth cancer. In fact, Naravaripalle sarpanch Sri Lakshmi also joined the camp to motivate the fellow women and got herself screened.