On the occasion of World Cancer Day, the Delhi government launched the CAPS (Cancer Awareness, Prevention and Screening) programme, a comprehensive initiative aimed at strengthening cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection across the national capital.
The programme was launched by the Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) at the auditorium of the Delhi Secretariat as part of the government’s wider public health strategy to address the rising cancer burden through preventive care and early intervention.
Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh highlighted the focus of the initiative on building public awareness, promoting timely screening, and strengthening preventive healthcare practices. The programme aims to spread the message of healthy living and the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment to every individual.
Under the CAPS initiative, the Delhi government will deploy mobile cancer screening units to expand access to early diagnosis, particularly for underserved and high-risk populations. The programme places a strong emphasis on screening for common cancers, including the use of HPV DNA testing for early detection of cervical cancer. In addition, self-testing kits will be introduced to encourage wider participation in screening and to reduce barriers related to access and stigma.
The CAPS initiative is positioned as a significant step towards integrating awareness, prevention, and screening into a single public health framework.
The launch of CAPS on World Cancer Day reaffirmed the Delhi government’s commitment to placing awareness and early intervention at the centre of its cancer control efforts, recognising informed communities and timely diagnosis as key strengths in the fight against cancer.
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