World Cancer Day is celebrated every year on February 4th to create awareness of cancer and its prevention. Between 2022 and 2024, the focus of World Cancer Day is to help “close the cancer gap.” This year marks the third and final year of the campaign. The theme for this year is “Together, we challenge those in power.”. This theme encompasses the global demand for leaders to prioritise and invest in cancer prevention and care and to do more to achieve a just and cancer-free world.

On behalf of the cancer awareness programme, the Department of Community Health Nursing and students of 4th year BSc Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal, conducted a radio awareness program on cancer and its prevention on February 2, 2024, at 3 pm. The programme was broadcasted by Community Radio, Manipal, at 90.4 MHz on February 4, 2024, at 4:20 pm and re-telecasted on February 5, 2024, at 12:15 pm.

The department also organized a cancer awareness programme on February 5, 2024, at PU College Moodubelle. The programme started with a prayer song sung by IV year BSc Nursing students, along with a welcome speech by Ms. Neha. Mr. Balakrishna Rao, Lecturer, St. Lawrence English Medium School, gave a talk on the importance of cancer awareness. Dr Malathi G Nayak addressed the Cancer Day theme. Sister Dhakshayini, LHV Pernankila PHC, highlighted the information on deworming and the polio vaccine. Later, 4^th year BSc nursing students Mr Alby and Ms Jessica presented on the causes of cancer, signs and symptoms, diagnostic measures, and prevention of cancer. The team demonstrated role play on lung cancer, followed by an educational video on breast self-examination by Ms. Tenzin Tseten. A total of 127 participants participated in the event. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Ms. Anila. The entire event was coordinated by Dr. Malathi G Nayak, Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, MCON, MAHE.

As part of World Cancer Day 2024, the faculty of the Department of Community Health Nursing, 2^ndyear PBBSc (Batch A) & 5^th semester BSc Nursing students, MCON, MAHE, Manipal conducted an awareness program on breast & cervical cancer at Government High School, Palli, on February 12, 2024, between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm.

The program started with an invocation led by Ms. Akanksha and the group, which was followed by a welcome speech by Ms. Namratha. The chief guests of the program were Mr Manjappa, Principal, Government PU College, Palli, and Mrs Jayalakshmi, Headmistress, Government High School, Palli.

Mr. Manjappa addressed the audience on the importance of creating awareness of cancer prevention among the students, and Mrs Jaylakshmi expressed her gratitude for organizing an awareness program on cancer. Mrs. Manjula, Asst. Professor, MCON, MAHE, addressed the gathering about the theme and significance of the day, the magnitude of the problem in India and the world, and also the facilities available in the community.

The students of II year PBBSc Nursing conducted the role play on the theme “Close the Care Gap,” and Ms. Sahana educated the gathering about cancer, its risk factors, signs and symptoms, and prevention. Ms. Heeba Naaz educated the gathering about breast cancer, its risk factors, signs and symptoms, and prevention. The students of the 5^th semester demonstrated the different methods of performing the breast self-examination, and Mr. Pradeep educated the gathering about cervical cancer, its cause, signs and symptoms, and prevention. The program was evaluated by conducting the quiz by Ms. Melissa. The prizes were distributed to the winners. The program was concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Lishma.  

Mrs. Manjula, Assistant Professor, coordinated the program. Ms.Christina, Lecturer, MCON, MAHE was present during the program. A total of 55 students and 15 faculty were the beneficiaries of the program. Mr. Jessal Gladvin, 5th semester BSc Nursing student, and Mrs. Heeba Naaz, a 2^nd year PBBSc Nursing were the student representatives for the program. The programme contributed to SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing.