New Delhi: On a typical wintry noon at the National Habitat Centre in New Delhi, a sizable crowd gathers despite the demands of a regular workday. Women, draped in shawls and bundled in layers of woolens, converge in the Doctor’s Room on the ground floor of this iconic building. The occasion marks the culmination of a free gynecological camp on Women’s Health led by Dr. Rahul Manchanda, Head of the Gynaecological Endoscopy Unit at PSRI Hospital, held on December 15, 2023.
“Habitat has become a pivotal venue for our biannual free health camps for women. . For the past 15 to 20 years, our mission has been twofold: raising awareness not only about cancer services but also advocating for preventive healthcare for women. There are plenty of studies that quantify the impact of preventive health checkups in saving women from debilitating diseases and averting premature deaths,” he said speaking to Health On Air.
The comprehensive services offered during the camp include free gynecological consultations for attendees and their families, general and gynecological examinations, blood pressure and weight assessments, as well as complimentary pre-registered breast mammograms and pap smears.
Dr Rahul Manchanda
Dr. Manchanda’s expertise covers a wide array of women’s health concerns, addressing issues such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic infections, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), endometriosis, polycystic ovarian disease, infertility, IVF, fibroids, ovarian cysts, menopause management, and cervical cancer. Notably, the camp emphasizes the importance of cancer cervix awareness and offers free vaccinations against cervical cancer.
Addressing the prevalence of common health concerns among urban women like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and ovarian cysts, Dr. Rahul Manchanda says, “”Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOD) is not just a diagnosis; it’s a reflection of lifestyle choices. To combat this disorder, prioritize a healthy lifestyle through mindful eating, regular exercise, and the avoidance of detrimental habits. Women should vigilantly safeguard their overall well-being, emphasizing the pivotal role of a balanced diet and consistent physical activity in preventing such conditions.”
Dr. Rahul Manchanda advises, “Regular checkups for women, ideally every three to six months, and at least annually. Consult a healthcare provider for comprehensive tests, including pap smears and mammograms after a certain age. It’s a preventive checkup, crucial for early detection and wellness care. Commencing from age 18, women should prioritize annual checkups, whether married or not, for proactive healthcare.”
Women between the ages of 20 and 50 flocked to the camp, with some arriving without a comprehensive understanding of the event. However, a shared experience resonated among the attendees—many had witnessed a close female relative endure the challenges of cancer. This collective concern fueled their interest in early gynecological tests. “I am here with my husband for fertility issues. We have been trying for a child for the last two years. We heard of this free camp and decided to visit. But I am aware of the risks of cancer and how common it is today. My mother-in-law is undergoing treatment,” she says. However, like most women, she wasn’t aware of the first level detection tests like mammograms and pap smears.
Ms. Bhavna Mnachanda
“In our country, whether it is breast cancer or cervical cancer, the statistics reveal a grim reality: every six minutes, a woman succumbs to cancer. At our free health camps, we offer crucial check-ups that serve as the first level of detection. A mammogram serves as the initial detection method for breast cancer, and we conduct pap smears, the primary diagnostic tool for cervical cancer,” says Bhavna Manchanda, the wife of Dr. Rahul Manchanda, who spearheads the organization of these vital free camps for women.
“My husband is a gynecologist, and yet, this Valentine’s Day he gave me a pap smear and mammogram test. Even when women are aware, we have to juggle so many roles that we tend to put our health on the backburner. Especially in cases of breast cancer, where there are no symptoms and no personal history. In our camps, there have been so many people coming for check-ups simply because they have reached a certain age, and they get detected,” she adds.
Registration Desk at Indian Habitat Centre
Current estimates underscore the gravity of the situation, indicating that annually, 123,907 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, with 77,348 losing their lives to the disease. Cervical cancer holds the distressing position of being the second most frequent cancer among women in India and ranks second among women aged 15 to 44. Approximately 5.0% of women in the general population are estimated to harbor cervical HPV-16/18 infection at any given time, with a staggering 83.2% of invasive cervical cancers attributed to Human papillomavirus (HPV).
Manchanda says that cervical cancer can be prevented withHPV vaccine. Unfortunately, there is very little awareness about it. In fact, he is of the view that it should be provided to women by the government. “Women should be getting it through some government scheme because cervical cancer used to be the biggest cancer killer in women till recently. Now it’s the second, with breast cancer being the first. It should be on our national immunization program. Many European countries have done it,” says Dr. Manchanda, Consultant Gynae Endoscopic surgeon at Pushpawati Singhania Hospital and Research Institute (PSRI).
In a delightful twist of fate, all the attendees left the event with smiles on their faces, free from diagnoses and health concerns. Well, almost all. The writer managed to snag the spotlight with a surprise cautionary note of borderline hypertension. Who said covering health news doesn’t come with its own set of surprises? Looks like the prescription for this writer includes a healthy dose of irony!
Photos Credit: HealthOnAir/Kh Manglembi Devi
