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Engineering & Maintenance

Preventive & Community Oncology

Department In-charge

Dr. Neethu A P

Lecturer
Phone - 0490 23 99 284
Email - communityonc@mcc.kerala.gov.in

Community oncology Department started functioning as a full-fledged department since 2010 January. In 2013, the department started functioning in a separate space with facilities for tobacco cessation clinic, facility for online public awareness, specimen museum, area for specimen mounting and area for storing IEC materials. Community Oncology Dept has been regularly conducting cancer awareness programs, volunteer training programs, health exhibitions, school-based tobacco awareness programs and community based health research in 6 districts namely Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kasaragod, Palakkad in Kerala, and Mahe in U T of Puducherry. The following are the routine departmental activities since its installation. 

  1. Cancer awareness campaign: cancer awareness classes for the general public and health workers in cooperation with various organizations, residential groups, clubs, etc. 
  2. Tobacco awareness campaign at schools: anti-tobacco awareness classes using audiovisual aids were conducted at different schools.
  3. Exhibitions and observation of cancer-related health days: cancer and tobacco-related health exhibitions were organized at different public programs and schools. No tobacco day, cancer awareness day, etc. were observed with massive public programs.
  4. Trainings and workshops: Training in tobacco control and cancer screening for health workers, volunteers, JPHNs, and nurses are regularly conducted.
  5. Awareness generating public competitions: painting and literary competitions, online competitions were organized for school children and the general public on tobacco control and cancer prevention.
  6. Quarterly newsletter NETHI on tobacco awareness for school children.
  7. Publication of IEC materials for awareness generation.
  8. Screening of short film for tobacco awareness “U-Turn “in schools and public programs.
  9. Community participatory research activities.
  10. Collaborative projects with community components initiated by various universities affiliated with MCC-PGIOSR.

From 2011 to 2022, the department has conducted 1391 cancer screening camps, 662 cancer awareness programs, 175 school tobacco programs, 215 volunteer training programs and 137 health exhibitions along with regular Associate center (ECDC) visits. After 2020 owing to the restrictions imposed by the covid situation, the department continued awareness activities through online webinars and conducted 27 awareness webinars for the public and 3 for students in collaboration with KCCC and other organizations like IMA, Rotary club, Kudumbasree etc.

MCC-PGIOSR has established Associate centres with facilities for early detection of cancer in various places in Kannur and Kasaragod district and conducts regular follow up visits to these centres.

  1. PHC based ECDC clinics at Cherukunnu, Kuttiattoor, Keezhpally (Kannur Dist) and Cheruvathur and Thrikkaripur (Kasaragod Dist.)
  2. NGO Based ECDC clinic-Alakkode, Nellikkampoyil (Kannur District) Chittarikkal (Kasargod District), and Thamarassery (Kozhikode District) under Thalassery Social Service Society (TSSS)

Anti-tobacco cell (2011)

The anti-tobacco cell was formed under the depton 31-10-11.  The cell consists of eminent personalities from different walks of life like teachers, Journalists, Social activists, writers, Janamythri police, etc. The main aim of the cell is to educate the student community on the menace posed by tobacco use. The Executive Committee of the cell comprises the following members, Dr. SatheesanB(Chairman), Dr. Ramachandran V (Joint Convener), Dr. NeethuA. P, Dr. PhinseM. Philip (Member conveners), and Major P Govindan, Dayanandan Master, ChalakkaraPurushu,Pradeep Master (Executive members).The cell is involved in all our anti-tobacco campaigns.

 
Tobacco cessation clinic (2011)

Tobacco cessation services were provided in the dental OPD in 2011.  In 2013, a dedicated tobacco cessation clinic was started in the community oncology department in 2013 after the department moved to separate space.  Tobacco cessation treatment is provided to those addicted to all forms of tobacco use. People identified at the camps were directed to the department OPD. Division also conducts various tobacco awareness programs for public and school children. Research on various aspects of tobacco use is also conducted in the division. Tobacco cessation OPD functions on all Wednesdays. 

 

Museum (2011)

The department prepares and maintains a museum of cancer inflicted organs which are also utilized in cancer awareness health exhibitions for awareness generation


Kannur District Cancer Control consortium (KCCC) (2021).

As a part of including socially committed individuals and organizations in the cancer control activities of MCC-PGIOSR, we have formed the Kannur district cancer control consortium for cancer control activities. It is formed with an objective to work under the guidance and technical support of Malabar Cancer Centre – Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences & Research, Thalassery to initiate and promote health care with community participation, create awareness about the prevention of cancer, eliminate fear and stigma about cancer, to spread the message about the curability of cancer and to provide rehabilitation to cancer survivors. KCCC was officially inaugurated on 4th February 2021 by the honourable Chief Minister of Kerala.

Early cancer detection clinic (2017)

MCC-PGIOSR has initiated early cancer detection clinics led by trained nurses at various panchayaths (cherukunnu PHC at Kannapuram, keezhpally PHC at Aralam) in Kannur district and Kasaragod district (Cheruvathur CHC and NeeleswaramTaluk hospital). Early cancer detection clinics are also initiated in collaboration with NGOs and are functioning well (centers at Alakkode and Chittarikkal and Thomapuram and Nellikkampoyil in collaboration with Thalassery Social service society). Another center was started at Thamarassery in December 2021.

Sl Faculty Name Designation
1 Dr. Neethu A P Lecturer
2 Dr. Phinse M Philip Assistant Professor
3 Santhosh Kumar Lab Assistant
4 Nisha T Nursing Assistant

a.    Cancer awareness campaign: cancer awareness classes for the general public and health workers in collaboration with various organizations, LSGIs, residential groups, clubs, etc. 
The class is organized in four sessions. The classes will be conducted using audiovisual aids
Session 1: General overview of cancer and Oral cancer 
Session 2: overview of women cancers 
Session 3: Training in self breast examination using a dummy model. 
Session 4: discussion and clarification of doubts 
Distribution of cancer related pamphlets
Are you planning to organize a cancer awareness program in your place? 
You may request the same through mcctly@gmail.com , director@mcc.kerala.gov.in  Contact no: 9496048812/ 9496048817
b.    Tobacco/cancer awareness campaign at schools
Awareness classes using audiovisual aids.
Screening of short film for tobacco awareness “U-Turn “in schools 
Are you planning to organize a Tobacco/cancer awareness campaign in your school? 
You may request the same through mcctly@gmail.com , director@mcc.kerala.gov.in  Contact no: 9496048812/ 9496048817

c.    Health Exhibitions on cancer awareness for general public and students  
Are you planning to organize a Health Exhibition on cancer awareness?
You may request the same through mcctly@gmail.com , director@mcc.kerala.gov.in  Contact no: 9496048812/ 9496048817

d.    Trainings and workshops: Training in tobacco control and cancer screening for health workers, volunteers, JPHNs, and nurses are regularly conducted.

e.    Awareness generating public competitions: painting and literary competitions, online competitions are organized for school children and the general public on tobacco control and cancer prevention.
f.    Quarterly newsletter NETHI on tobacco awareness for school children.
NETHI newsletter is a publication of anti tobacco cell of MCC-PGIOSR. It contains short stories, short poems, experiences, posters, cartoons, paintings related to tobacco awareness. These articles are mostly contributed by students. You can also be a part of it. Please send your creative writings and paintings which will give a message on tobacco control to tccthalassery@gmail.com or by post to MALABAR CANCER CENTRE (PGIOSR)
(An autonomous centre under Govt. of Kerala)
Moozhikkara (P.O), Thalassery, Kannur District, Kerala, India-670103.
The editorial team will decide about the suitability of publishing the same in the future issues. 
g.    Community participatory research activities.
h.    Collaborative projects with community components initiated by various universities affiliated with MCC-PGIOSR.

 

  1. Tobacco cessation clinic on all Wednesdays
  2. Museum with mounted specimens of organs with cancer, which is utilized in cancer awareness health exhibitions for awareness generation among students and public
     

  1. Parambil NA, Philip S, Tripathy JP, Philip PM, Duraisamy K, Balasubramanian S. Community engaged breast cancer screening program in Kannur District, Kerala, India: A ray of hope for early diagnosis and treatment. Indian J Cancer 2019;56:222-7
  2. Breast cancer screening in rural area in Kannur district, Kerala, India;”TheKannapuram Model”- a community participatory approach (online onlypublication: Citation: 2020 Annual Meeting Official Proceedings, Volume XXI. Ann SurgOncol (2020). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-020-08630-3
  3. Philip PM, Parambil NA, Bhaskarapillai B, Balasubramanian S. Evaluation of a specially designed tobacco control program to reduce tobacco use among school children in Kerala. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2013;14(6):3455-9. doi: 10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.6.3455. PMID: 23886127.
  4. Philip PM, Nayak P, Philip S, Parambil NA, Duraisamy K, Balasubramanian S. Population-based cancer screening through community participation: Outcome of a district wide oral cancer screening program from rural Kannur, Kerala, India. South Asian J Cancer. 2018 Oct-Dec;7(4):244-248. doi: 10.4103/sajc.sajc_104_17. PMID: 30430093; PMCID: PMC6190395.
  5. Philip PM, Kannan S, Parambil NA. Community-based interventions for health promotion and disease prevention in noncommunicable diseases: A narrative review. J Educ Health Promot. 2018 Nov 27;7:141. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_145_18. PMID: 30596113; PMCID: PMC6282482.
  6. P. M. Philip and S. Kannan, “Patient Interval and Associated Factors in the Diagnostic Journey of Oral Cancer: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study from Kerala, India,” Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, vol. 22, no. 10, pp. 3143–3149, Oct. 2021
  7. Parambil NA, Philip PM, Balasubramanian S, Padmanabhan M. Educational short film versus PowerPoint-based lecture in school tobacco awareness programs: Study from a tertiary cancer center, Kerala, India. Indian J Public Health.2022;66:61-3.
  8. Ambali Parambil, N., Kannan, S. (2024). 'Work Ability, Anxiety, and Depression among Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors of Northern Kerala, India; A Historical Cohort Study', Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 25(1), pp. 115-122. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.1.115

  1. Ente Keralam’ Exhibition: As part of state wide observation of 1st anniversary of state government, an exhibition was conducted by including various government departments from April 3rd to April 14th. MCC-PGIOSR bagged second prize in the category of best theme pavilions. 
  2. DCCC Kasragod and Wayanad: Initial meetings were conducted for the formation of the district cancer control committees in Kasargode and Waynad districts on 19th and 26th April respectively. It was attended by District Collectors, District Medical officers and district Panchayath Presidents among others..Director MCC-PGIOSR presented the need and implementation strategy of the DCCP.
  3. Observation of world no tobacco day at Malabar Cancer Centre-Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research, Thalassery, Kerala, India 
  • May 30th:  A mega flash mob was conducted by the students undergoing various courses in Malabar Cancer Centre-Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research as preliminary awareness generating event as part of observing world no tobacco day. The program was coordinated by Kannur District Cancer Control consortium ( A consortium of 34 socially committed organisations , Municipality of Thalassery, Excise department of Government of Kerala along with Malabar Cancer Centre-Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research.  More than 60 students from MCC-PGIOSRparticipated in the event which was conducted in three populous centres in and around the city. There was good response from the public (Photos and videos attached). 
  • May 31st: The world no tobacco day observation program was inaugurated by Kannur Archdiocese Archbishop Rev. Dr. Alex Vadakkumthala. The function was presided over by municipal chairperson Mrs K M Jamuna Rani. An Awareness message on the theme of world no tobacco day was given by MCC-PGIOSR Director Dr Satheesan Balasubramanian.  This was followed by a mega district level painting competition in various categories.  Categories include LP, UP, High school and College students. The colouring medium should be watercolour, crayons or acrylic. The topic provided was regarding the hazards of tobacco. This program was conducted with the belief that the participation itself will help in improving the student’s awareness on tobacco. Mass scale publicity was given through print, visual and social media. Hundreds of students participated in various categories. The very fact that the venue and materials for the painting competition and the refreshments for the participants were provided free of cost by the public also points to the social commitment of the society in appraising the tobacco threat.  The best entries will also be showcased in our anti tobacco news letter “NETHI” published by MCC-PGIOSR. 
  1. International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking: Various competitions and programs were conducted as part of observing international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking from 1st June to 27th June. The programs include football competition for SPC students; quiz competition for students from various schools in Thalassery, online Pledge video competition, elocution competition, essay competition, webinar, cycle rally, and a grand public function with participation of eminent personalities and students from various schools were conducted. The closing ceremony of one month long observation beginning from World no tobacco day on 31st May to anti drugs day on June 26th was conducted on June 27 at Municipal town hall, Thalassery. The program was inaugurated by District collector Sri Chandrashekhar IAS, in the presence of Subcollector Anukumari IAS, Ast Excise commissioner T Ragesh, and Muncipal chairperson Jamuna Rani.
  2. A one day training of trainers program was conducted on 5th July for health staff from Malappuram as part of Malappuram district cancer control program. 
  3. Patient navigation training of trainers DCCP program was conducted on 8th July for Kudumbashree resource persons from the Malappuram district.  
  4. Thengalikadave cancer care centre visit and follow up meetings: The DPM of calicut convened a meeting of various stakeholders including MCC-PGIOSR, PWD,ULCCS and Medical college to discuss about utilisng the land and building at Thengalikadave for cancer control and treatment. A team from MCC-PGIOSR, Dr Neethu and Mrs Reena visited the facility and attnded the meeting. A further follow up meeting was also conducted to discuss the building plan prepared by the ULCS. 
  5. District cancer control program:  Training of trainers program: DCCP TOT training program was conducted for participants from Kozhikode, Kasargod and wayanad districts on 18th and 19th , 25th and  26th, and 28th and 29th of august respectively. 
  6. DCCP Kasargod ToT
  7. Wayanad DCCP
  8. As part of DCCP Kannur, A two day training program in cancer screening for MLSP staff (Batch 1 consisting of 19 persons) from selected PHCs was conducted at TB centre Kannur
  9. An eight member team from Malabar Cancer Centre-Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research visited Attappadi on 12thand 13th of October 2022.
  10. As part of DCCP training, medcal officers were trained in early diagnosis of common cancers. 
  11. National cancer awareness day: Observed national cancer awareness day with various programs. On fifth November, a quiz program was conducted at BEMP school Thalassery. High school and highersecondary school students from 29 schools participated in the program. They were from Thalassery north, Thalassery south , Koothuparambe, Panoor educational subdistricts. On november 7th, a cancer awareness seminar was conducted for NCC,SPC,JRC, Scouts and Guides and NSS volunteers at Pinarayi higher secondary school. The program was Inaugurated by Mr Sandeep Kumar IAS. Class led by Dr Phinse M Philip. 
  12. Field camps of AIDOSCAN project going on.11 camps were conducted in December
  13. Specialist doctors training as part of DCCP Kannur
  14. As part of implementing District Cancer Control Program “Kannur fights cancer”, MCC-PGIOSR conducted a three day training program for speciality doctors from various sub district, district and general hospitals in Kannur district. Training was conducted at Malabar Cancer Centre-Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research with the support of district Medical Office (Health). The training consisted of theory, practical sessions and OPD and procedure observation postings. The objective of the program was to provide in-service refresher training to speciality doctors to perform biopsy and FNAC in their institutions. As per the cancer care grid, medical officers from PHCs/CHCs will refer suspicious cancer cases to sub district and district hospitals for diagnostic evaluations. This will enable establishment of decentralised cancer diagnostic facilities across the district. This will enhance adherence to referral/follow up instructions.All participants were given e certificates for their training. Speciality doctors training was conducted on 4th to 6th January 2023 (17 Participants). The participants include General surgeons (n=3), Gynaecologists (n=4), ENT surgeons (n=5), Dental surgeons (n=5). 
  15. Specialist nurses training as part of DCCP Kannur
  16. One day training for nurses from speciality sector was conducted at MCC-PGIOSR on 11th January 2023 and 21 nurses from various hospitals participated in the program.  The training consisted of theory sessions on general aspect of cancer, nursing aspects of diagnostic procedures, observation of preliminary diagnostic procedures like FNAC and biopsy. They were trained for setting up of instruments for procedures like FNAC and Biopsy. There were also a visit to various departments in MCC-PGIOSR for a visual experience of procedures in the department of pathology, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine. They were given a short overview of patient channelization process at MCC-PGIOSR 
  17. Observation of world cancer day Feb 4th 2023
  18. Flash Mob: World cancer day was observed with various programs like flash mob by Bsc MRT students and Bsc Nursing students at new and old bus stand , Thalassery on 3rd February. 
  19. 5K Challenge: As per instructions from UICC, a 5K challenge was conducted among students and general public to promote physical activity as a method of cancer prevention. The program was officially inaugurated at Thalassery municipal stadium by Thalassery ACP Arun K Pavithran IPS. Eminent personalilies like District Judge, IMA president, KCCC members and Community Oncology MCC-PGIOSR participated. The %K challenge was to cover a distance of 5kilometers either by walking or running or swimming and sharing of such activities through social media. The participants have to invite five friends to take up the challenge by tagging them in social media posts. Students from Sai sports academy, sacred heart HSS Thalassery , engineering college Thalassery and representatives from various sports organisations and veterans sportsmen participated in the challenge at Thalassery.  A 5kilometer Swim as part of 5K challenge was conducted at Mattannur in association with AMMA pain and Palliative care, Mini sports and Arts Club. The world cancer day message along with a pledge for cancer prevention was also conducted in various schools of Thalassery and Kannur.