In a bid to curb cancer-related deaths, over 150 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in Delhi have been trained to identify early signs of cervical and breast cancer and guide patients swiftly to diagnostic facilities.
The initiative, launched during the 31st Annual Conference of the National Association for Reproductive and Child Health of India (NARCHI) from August 8 to 10, is being implemented in collaboration with the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
The training covered symptom recognition, referral protocols, and communication skills to tackle stigma and fear surrounding cancer. ASHAs were also introduced to simple tracking tools—both paper-based and mobile-friendly—to log suspected cases and ensure timely follow-ups.
“Early detection can push survival rates beyond 90 per cent, compared to less than 40 per cent in late-stage cases. By empowering ASHA workers to identify the earliest warning signs, we are stopping the disease before it gains ground,” said Dr. Mala Srivastava, President of NARCHI’s Delhi chapter.
India records nearly 1.3 million new cancer cases and over 800,000 deaths every year, yet only 20 per cent of cases are diagnosed at Stage 1, when treatment is most effective. With each ASHA serving around 1,000 residents, the programme is expected to reach more than one million people in the capital.
Pilot areas in all districts of Delhi will be covered over the next year, with ASHAs organising screening camps in neighbourhoods and schools. Hospital mentors will oversee the camps to ensure quality detection, while a digital dashboard will track screenings, referrals, and confirmed early-stage diagnoses.
“This grassroots approach strengthens the public health system and builds trust between communities and medical institutions,” said Dr. Chandra Mansukhani, Vice President of NARCHI Delhi. “One trained ASHA becomes a network of hope in her community.”
If scaled citywide and eventually nationwide, the initiative could save thousands of lives and shift India’s approach to cancer prevention from reactive treatment to proactive screening.
