An innovative model for integrated delivery of prevention, screening and palliative care services of cancers at health and wellness centres in Assam

There is a consensus on delivering prevention, early detection and palliative care services as effective cancer control strategies in primary healthcare settings; however, examples of practical application are few. The study describes the implementation of integrated delivery of preventive, early detection and palliative care needs assessment through the frontline healthcare workers at the Health and Wellness Centre. The study employed a master trainer team of dentist and nurses trained in prevention and needs assessment of palliative care services who would further provide the handhold training to the Community Health Officers (CHO), multi purpose workers and Accredited Social Health Activist for awareness, prevention and generalist palliative care needs assessment. 2106 households with 256 people were screened as a result, with an average of around 30 screenings a day. Screen positivity rates was found to be 3.1% for the oral cancer, for breast cancer it was 1.8% while for cervical cancer it was 3.4%. While 0.5% households were identified in need of palliative care, all screened positive cases were provided counselling for further diagnostics and care at the cancer centre in the district. The ambulance services of 102 available in the state were arranged for people willing to undergo the diagnostics. The evidence generated has the potential for practical application with further testing and strengthening in the field.