Month: January 2026

Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Initiative
Cancer remains one of Sri Lanka’s leading causes of premature death despite the existence of a state-sponsored cancer detection system; approximately 60% of oral cancers and a majority of breast cancer cases continue to be diagnosed at late stages (stage III or IV). With your support, JMFOAI and IMHO USA will jointly address this gap over the next five years, in collaboration with Jaffna Teaching Hospital and the Jaffna Medical Faculty, through community-based cancer prevention and early detection of oral, breast, and cervical cancers, following a successful 2023/2024 pilot project spearheaded by JMFOA Canada. Due to limited funding and the need to assess the effectiveness of our combined models, we initially focused solely on the Kilinochchi district, starting in March 2025, before expanding to other districts. Expansion to the Jaffna Islands is planned for early 2026.

The project model combines JTH expertise in mass mobilisation and outreach screening, community-level screening and awareness campaigns by newly recruited eight Community Health Workers (CHWs) at satellite centres across Kilinochchi district, targeted screening of high-risk groups, and robust data collection and monitoring systems, implemented by a project manager/cancer connector, and led by Dr Thanendiran, an onco-surgeon at JTH.