Assam down town University Holds Community-Based Cancer Awareness Programme in Guwahati 

On August 27, 2026, Assam down town University (AdtU) hosted a Community Based Cancer Awareness Programme aimed at raising awareness on early cancer detection, preventive healthcare, healthy lifestyle practices and government healthcare schemes. The programme was organised by the Faculty of Science, AdtU, in association with the NSS Unit, AdtU, and was held at Panikhaiti Mini PHC and Thakurkuchi village. 

The programme was organised as part of the university's Seed Money Project (2024-25) and aimed at sensitising the local community members on cancer prevention and the importance of early diagnosis. The initiative also sought to raise awareness on the importance of good health habits and the health care programs offered by the government.

Dr Mahendra Sarma, SMO (Ayur), Chandrapur, Assam, and Dr Ankita Saikia, MBBS, DCP and Consultant Pathologist, Samiksha Diagnostic Centre, Bamunimaidan, Guwahati were the resource persons for the community outreach programme. They were involved in the awareness campaign, adding a medical and community healthcare perspective.

The programme was conducted from 10 am onwards on August 27 in Panikhaiti Mini PHC and Thakurkuchi village. The sessions emphasized the importance of preventive health, the early detection of cancer-related issues and the need to seek early medical advice. The programme also reinforced the need to have a healthy lifestyle as an integral part of preventive health care.

The project was part of AdtU's community outreach, bringing academic activities closer to the grassroots and raising awareness around healthcare. The Faculty of Science and the NSS Unit took a step forward in this direction by working together to bring the information to the people outside the university campus.In this regard, the University tried to reach the people outside the campus through the cooperation of the Faculty of Science with the NSS Unit and to reach them directly and provide them with health-related information.

Cancer awareness can be a crucial factor in helping people to focus on possible cancer risk factors and seek proper medical advice. There is also the need to provide information on the status of government health care schemes, so that communities can understand and utilise the available public health resources.

The Community Based Cancer Awareness Programme at AdtU thus combined outreach from the university, health knowledge and community involvement and emphasized on prevention, early detection, and increased awareness of health care services to the people.