Barriers and Facilitators in The Implementation of Screening for Three Common Cancers (Oral, Cervical and Breast) In Imphal West District, Manipur, India: A Qualitative Study

Background: Cancer burden in India is rising and the most common cancer types (oral, breast and cervical) are more lethal in the North East Region. Although, there is a provision of screening for these three cancers under the NP-NCD, population coverage remains inadequate. This study plans to examine various barriers and facilitators in the cancer screening programmes in Manipur. Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted in Imphal West district, Manipur, from April to September 2025. Four focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 42 women and 21 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with healthcare providers and community members were conducted. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and analysed thematically using inductive and deductive approaches. Results: The study included 63 participants across 4 FGDs and 21 IDIs. Key barriers were knowledge gap, psychosocial factors such as lack of motivation, low prioritization, low perceived risk, health care system-related factors such as lack of trust in government health facilities and health system delay. Key facilitators included awareness and information access, family and community support and involvement of doctors in screening activities. Conclusion: Cancer screening uptake in Manipur is influenced by interconnected individual, sociocultural, financial, and health-system factors. Strengthening community outreach, improving healthcare infrastructure, ensuring privacy, and engaging families, community leaders, and healthcare providers may improve screening participation. Further studies across other districts are warranted to inform context-specific interventions.