By Amarr Prabhu
MUMBAI, JAN 11, 2018: The Mumbai Provincial Federation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco in collaboration with the Kurla unit of Past Pupils organised a cancer awareness camp, conducted by the doctors of the Preventive Oncology department of Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, for staff and students of St. Joseph’s ITI – Don Bosco Centre for Learning, Kurla on January 5.
The programme began with a welcome talk by Father Cyril de Souza, the Unit Delegate of the Kurla Past Pupils, during which he not only appreciated the generous services offered by the Preventive Oncology Department of Tata Memorial Hospital, but also encouraged the students to respond willingly to their offer.The main items of the function began with an awareness talk by Doctor D Fernandes on the harmful effects of the use of tobacco in any of its various forms. Then, some specific facts about the consumption of tobacco, as also the warning signs of oral cancer were communicated to the participants.
The session was attended by around 400 students of St. Joseph’s ITI. Thereafter, a cancer screening camp was held by the doctors during which time over 350 students were screened for signs of cancer or pre-cancer.A brief counseling session was held for those who were in the habit of smoking and of consuming tobacco. A follow up will be done by the Preventive Oncology department for some of the students. Since the camp was successful and very helpful to the students, St. Joseph’s ITI intends to organise the cancer awareness talk and the screening camp on an ongoing basis.