Tripura Health Secretary Kiran Gitte launched a state-wide Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign in Agartala, promoting early detection, cancer screening, awareness, prevention and better care through workshops, healthcare outreach and community activities.
Health Secretary Kiran Gitte on Wednesday launched a state-wide mass awareness campaign under Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the objective of creating greater awareness about breast cancer, promoting early detection and strengthening prevention and care services across Tripura.
The launch programme was held at the State Guest House in Agartala and was attended by senior health officials and representatives from different levels of the state’s healthcare system. Those present included Saju Vaheed, Additional Secretary-cum-Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), the Director of Health Services, Director of Family Welfare, Joint Mission Director of NHM, Member Secretary of the State Health and Family Welfare Society under NHM, Chief Medical Officers of all districts, and other state- and district-level officials.
During the programme, a range of knowledge products designed for the general public and technical materials intended for stakeholders, academicians, healthcare service providers and students were unveiled. Jhpiego provided technical support for the initiative, which seeks to strengthen breast cancer awareness and improve the delivery of breast cancer-related care in Tripura.
The month-long campaign will involve a series of awareness and capacity-building activities across the state. Workshops will be organised at different levels with the participation of AIIMS and Jhpiego, while consultations will be held among healthcare service providers and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
Seminars will also be conducted in medical and paramedical institutions to improve understanding of breast cancer among students and healthcare professionals. The campaign will use television, digital and other media platforms through talk shows and awareness programmes, alongside dedicated social media campaigns.
At the community level, interpersonal communication activities involving members of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) will form part of the initiative. Community Health Officers (CHOs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) will also conduct awareness activities during Village Health and Nutrition Days, helping take breast cancer-related information closer to people in rural and community settings.
Dr. Arjun Saha, State Programme Officer for Non-Communicable Diseases, made a presentation outlining the importance of breast cancer awareness and the roadmap for implementing the campaign. The presentation highlighted the need for greater awareness, timely identification of symptoms and access to appropriate healthcare services.
Health Secretary Kiran Gitte called upon stakeholders and members of society to actively participate in the campaign. He stressed the importance of collective efforts to encourage early detection and strengthen breast cancer prevention and care across the state.
According to the press release, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed globally every October. The campaign focuses on promoting breast health, increasing awareness of risk factors, encouraging early detection and ensuring continuity of care for those affected by the disease.
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and continues to be a major public health concern. According to GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates cited in the release, around 23 lakh women were diagnosed with breast cancer globally in 2022, while approximately 6.7 lakh women died from the disease.
The burden is also significant in India. An estimated 2,37,231 new breast cancer cases and 96,100 deaths were recorded in India in 2024, with breast cancer accounting for around 30.4% of all cancers among Indian women, according to the figures cited by the state health authorities.
The disease is also a significant concern in Tripura. According to the Tripura Population-Based Cancer Registry (PBCR), ICMR data for 2012–2016, breast cancer accounted for 14.4% of all female cancer cases in the state, affecting approximately one in 123 women.
The state government has been undertaking measures to strengthen cancer screening and improve coverage among eligible populations. Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha launched the Mukhyamantri Niramay Arogya Abhiyan (MNAA) on December 31 last year as part of efforts to strengthen screening for cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
Under the initiative, dedicated screening activities are conducted twice a year—from January 1 to 14 and July 14 to 31—through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Primary Health Care facilities across Tripura.
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The newly launched Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign is expected to complement these screening efforts by increasing public awareness, strengthening community participation and encouraging people to seek timely medical advice and screening services. Through coordinated efforts involving health workers, medical institutions, community representatives and the wider public, the state aims to improve awareness and promote early detection and care for breast cancer.
