Sri Vijaya Puram, April 20: An Oral Cancer Prevention and Detection Awareness Camp was successfully organized on 18th April 2026 at Tagore Auditorium, Middle Point, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The initiative was led by the Inner Wheel Club of Andaman & Nicobar Islands in association with Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and the Indian Dental Association (IDA), Sri Vijaya Puram.
The camp commenced at around 2:45 PM and witnessed an encouraging response from the public. More than 100 patients were screened and examined for early signs of oral cancer, highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare and early diagnosis. The screening and consultation were conducted by a team of experienced dental professionals including Dr. S. Bala, President, IDA Sri Vijaya Puram, Dr. Selvaraj, Secretary, IDA, Dr. Vishal S. Nair, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Pratiksha Malhotra, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Sruthi P, Dentist.
The Chief Guest, Shri Ravindra Kumar, Director of the Directorate of Social Welfare, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, graced the closing ceremony and was welcomed by Inner Wheel President Mrs. Pallavi Gupta. Addressing the gathering, he emphasized the need to conduct such awareness camps across various departments and among vulnerable sections of society, particularly those engaged in long working hours who often neglect regular health check-ups. He noted that many individuals seek medical attention only when symptoms become severe, underscoring the importance of early detection. He also urged the Indian Dental Association and the Inner Wheel Club to continue organizing such outreach programs to help combat the rising cases of oral cancer in the Andaman region.
Oral cancer continues to be a growing public health concern in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, largely driven by the widespread use of tobacco, pan and areca nut chewing habits. Changing lifestyles, increased consumption of pan masala and tobacco products, along with lack of regular oral check-ups, further aggravates the situation, making awareness and early detection initiatives extremely crucial in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Poonam Arora highlighted that abnormal cells can develop in the body but are usually controlled however, they may proliferate under unfavorable conditions such as poor oral hygiene, tobacco consumption, pan chewing habits, broken teeth, cavities, and lifestyle-related issues including diabetes and metabolic disorders. She stressed the importance of annual dental check-ups to prevent serious health complications.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mrs. Bakhtawar Noble, Vice President of the Inner Wheel Club. The program was smoothly conducted by Mrs. Jahanara Yasmeen as the Master of Ceremonies.
The camp served as a significant step toward raising awareness about oral cancer and reinforcing the importance of early detection and preventive care among the public.