New Delhi, March 21: CAPED (Cancer Awareness, Prevention & Early Detection Trust), in collaboration with AstraZeneca India and OneStage (formerly Charities Aid Foundation India), continues to drive change in women’s healthcare through its impactful Ganga Godavari Cancer Screening Program. Now in its third year, the initiative has screened over 18,600 women for cervical, breast, and oral cancers, focusing on raising awareness and enabling early detection within underserved communities.
Building on the success of its inaugural year in Mathura (2022-23), where 4,605 women were screened, the program expanded to Delhi in 2023-24, reaching 6,037 women across 55 camps. This year, the project set an ambitious goal of screening 8,000 women by March 2025, with 6,893 women already screened across 70 camps as of March 8, 2025. Through door-to-door mobilization and community-based screening events, CAPED ensures that women from disadvantaged backgrounds gain access to crucial cancer screenings.
The program also includes a Patient Navigation Program, which provides counseling and logistical support to women who receive positive screening results, assisting them with further diagnosis and treatment. Collaborations with institutions like AIIMS, NICPR, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Lady Hardinge Medical College, and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Charitable Hospital have bolstered patient support and follow-up care. Additionally, over 300 ASHA workers have been trained and screened, empowering them to engage their communities in cancer awareness and prevention efforts.
“Early detection saves lives. By bringing screenings directly to communities, we empower women with the knowledge and healthcare access that can make a life-changing difference,” said Dr. Mridu Gupta. “Our goal is to ensure that no woman is left behind due to lack of awareness or resources. We are dedicated to scaling up this initiative and integrating sustainable cancer screening models into public healthcare systems.”
As the current cycle of the project nears its conclusion, CAPED remains focused on expanding its reach and forming new partnerships to establish long-term, government-integrated cancer screening programs in the future.
