By The Pulseline News Desk
A free breast and cervical cancer screening camp and public awareness programme will be held in Kotahena on Saturday (October 24), as part of efforts to promote early detection and reduce cancer-related deaths among women in Sri Lanka.
The programme will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at Cathedral Boys’ School, No. 82, Kotahena Street, Colombo 13, offering free clinical breast examinations and Pap smear tests alongside an awareness session on cancer prevention and early detection.
The initiative comes as breast and cervical cancers remain among the most common cancers affecting women in Sri Lanka, highlighting the importance of regular screening and timely medical consultation.
According to the organisers, approximately 14 to 15 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each day in Sri Lanka, while two to three women reportedly die from these diseases daily.
Health professionals emphasise that early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes, as both breast and cervical cancers are more manageable when identified before reaching advanced stages.
The programme will include practical guidance on self-breast examination, clinical breast examinations conducted by qualified female doctors and health specialists, and free Pap smear tests for eligible women.
Cervical cancer screening will be available to women aged 35 and above, as well as individuals presenting symptoms or relevant medical concerns, subject to clinical assessment.
The initiative is being conducted under the guidance of Dr. K. Sriprathapan, Chief Medical Officer of Health of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), with medical supervision by Dr. Pavithra Muthukuda, District 1 Medical Officer of Health.
Coordinated by Kotahena East CMC member Gayathri Wickramasinghe, the programme is jointly organised by the She Leads Women’s Action Society and the Kotahena East Prajashakthi Organization.
Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar is scheduled to attend as the chief guest.
Agalya Rajendran, president of the She Leads Women’s Action Society, said the programme aims to encourage women, particularly those aged 35 and above, to prioritise preventive healthcare and seek medical advice without delay.
Women in Kotahena and surrounding areas are invited to attend the programme and make use of the free screening services.
Organisers stress that screening and timely medical consultation are important steps in identifying cancer at an early stage, when treatment is generally more effective.
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