💡 Overview
The Community Cancer Control and Screening Project is a transformative initiative aimed at reducing the burden of cancer in Sri Lanka’s Northern & Eastern Provinces. By enhancing prevention, early detection, and access to care, this project supports the National Cancer Control Program and brings life-saving services to underserved communities. Through education, outreach, and collaboration with local and international partners, we strive to detect cancers earlier, improve survival rates, and build a healthier future for all.
🌍 Why It Matters
Cancer is a growing global health challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Sri Lanka, where limited resources make comprehensive care difficult. Despite improvements in national cancer control in Sri Lanka, incidence rates have doubled over the past 25 years. Breast cancer is the most common among women, oral cancer among men, and cervical cancer ranks third among female cancers. Early detection and prevention are crucial, but awareness and participation levels remain low, especially among men and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
🎯 Project Objectives
Our multi-pronged strategy focuses on:
- Prevention: Reducing modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, areca nut chewing, poor diet, and physical inactivity.
- Public Awareness: Educating communities about cancer symptoms, prevention, and the importance of early detection.
- Early Detection: Increasing access to screening for breast, oral, and cervical cancers.
- Diagnosis & Treatment: Ensuring timely, accurate diagnosis and comprehensive care.
- Health System Strengthening: Enhancing infrastructure and training healthcare professionals.
🛠️ How We Work
We use a community-centred, evidence-based approach:
- Outreach Programs: Mobile screening units, educational workshops, and awareness campaigns.
- Healthcare Training: Specialised instruction for local professionals in screening and patient care.
- Screening Camps: Free services offered regularly across villages.
- Public Campaigns: Social media and community events to boost engagement.
- Local Partnerships: Collaborating with the Cancer Society locally and other stakeholders.
- Data Monitoring: Tracking screening rates, outcomes, and program effectiveness.
- Infrastructure Investment: Upgrading facilities and equipment for diagnosis and treatment.
📊 Feasibility Study: (June 2022 – July 2023 Northern Province, Sri Lanka)
As part of JMFOA International’s commitment to advancing equitable health access, a feasibility study was conducted across all five districts of Northern Sri Lanka by the Canadian chapter to assess the viability of community-led cancer screening and education. This pilot initiative delivered health camps directly to underserved communities, transforming traditional outreach through culturally resonant methods.
🎭 Approach
Health camps were designed to foster a welcoming, non-clinical environment by integrating theatre, folk songs, and traditional instruments. These events offered:
- Cancer education focused on prevention and risk factors
- On-site screening services for early detection
- Referral pathways to the regional early detection centre for further evaluation and treatment
The initiative resulted in successful surgical interventions and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from community members, leading to the launch of a sustained implementation programme.
💡 Lessons Learned
- Cultural Integration Enhances Engagement
Incorporating theatre and traditional arts created an inclusive and engaging platform for health education, increasing community receptivity.
- Empowering Nursing Students as Educators
Nursing students served as effective community cancer educators, facilitating knowledge transfer, supporting referrals, and accompanying patients through treatment journeys.
- Local Leadership Drives Participation
The involvement of community leaders and district health officers was instrumental in mobilising attendance and fostering trust.
- Decentralised Services Improve Access
Delivering healthcare directly to communities significantly increased utilisation of the region’s early detection centre, which was previously underused.
- Betel Chewing Identified as a Key Risk Factor
A high number of referrals for suspected oral cancer underscored the urgent need for targeted education and prevention around betel chewing.
- Women as Agents of Sustainability
With 70% of attendees being female, the programme strategically shifted to engage and employ local women and community officers, strengthening long-term sustainability and outreach.
This study affirms the power of culturally sensitive, community-driven health interventions. JMFOA International remains committed to expanding this model through ongoing implementation, capacity building, and strategic partnerships to other parts of the North & East.
📍 Target Area and Beneficiaries
This five-year initiative is dedicated to improving health outcomes across Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern Provinces, with a special focus on cancer prevention and early detection. The initial implementation phase will be concentrated in the Kilinochchi District, integrating seamlessly with existing healthcare infrastructure in selected Public Health Midwife (PHM) areas.
🗺️ Initial Implementation Areas – Kilinochchi District
MOH division | Number of PHM areas | Estimated Population |
Karaichchi | 30 | 78,052 |
Poonakary | 13 | 26,614 |
Kandawalai | 13 | 26,842 |
Palai | 08 | 13,044 |
Total | 64 | 144,552 |
Our approach prioritises collaboration with local health authorities and leverages existing systems to ensure sustainability and community ownership.
🎯 Selection Criteria for Medical Camps
Medical camps will be strategically located based on the following criteria:
- Individuals from low-income households
- Minority communities with elevated cancer incidence rates
- Populations with limited access to healthcare services
These criteria ensure that our interventions reach those most in need, promoting equity and inclusivity in service delivery.
🕒 Project Duration
The whole project spans five years, commencing with a one-year pilot phase in Kilinochchi District from 1st March 2025 to 29th February 2026. Insights from this phase will inform the broader rollout across the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
📅 Project Timeline
June 2022 to July 2023
- Pilot launch in five villages in NP
- Screening camps and data collection
- Program adjustments based on pilot feedback
March 2025 to February 2026
- Full program rollout across the Kilinochchi district for one year
- Continuous monitoring
🎗️ Free Cancer Screening Services
As part of our commitment to early detection and community wellbeing, our program offers comprehensive cancer screening services tailored to meet the needs of vulnerable populations. Qualified healthcare professionals deliver these services in a safe, respectful, and culturally sensitive environment.
🩺 Breast Cancer Screening
Women aged 35 and above are invited to participate in clinical breast examinations as part of our mass screening initiative. Individuals identified as high-risk or presenting with suspicious findings will be referred for diagnostic mammography to ensure timely follow-up and care.
🧬 Cervical Cancer Screening
Eligible women will receive cervical cancer screening, which includes a vaginal examination and Pap smear testing. These procedures are essential for detecting precancerous changes and promoting early intervention.
👄 Oral Cancer Screening
All participants will undergo oral examinations using advanced white light technology. Any suspicious lesions or abnormalities will be promptly referred for biopsy and further evaluation.
🛠 Planning and Preparation
Satellite Screening Centres
To ensure accessibility, we are establishing satellite centres based on population density and geographic coverage. These hubs will serve as frontline screening points, staffed by trained Community Health Workers.
Strategic Partnerships
We collaborate with local health departments, hospitals, administrative officers, and community organisations to ensure seamless implementation and long-term impact.
Training and Capacity Building
- Nursing students, doctors, and healthcare staff at satellite centres will receive specialised training from the Cancer Early Detection Centre (CEDC).
- Community Health Workers, recruited by CANE, will undergo cancer education training from CEDC and implementation and monitoring training from the University of Jaffna.
📣 Outreach and Education
Awareness Campaigns
We develop and distribute culturally sensitive educational materials that highlight the importance of cancer screening and early detection. Four large-scale screening programs are planned to reach underserved populations.
Community Events
Cultural activities, including theatre performances, will be organised to engage and educate the public in meaningful, memorable ways.
Media and Engagement
We leverage local media, social platforms, and trusted community leaders to amplify awareness and encourage participation.
🌱 Sustainability and Healthy Villages
Our long-term vision is to establish Healthy Villages—communities empowered with knowledge, resources, and support for cancer prevention and care.
Building a Dedicated Resource Team
CEDC will train a multidisciplinary team of nursing students, doctors, cancer survivors, caregivers, and healthcare workers. This team will work within the existing healthcare system to strengthen education and referral pathways.
Continuity of Care
After initial screenings, CEDC will provide follow-up care for identified patients, ensuring no one is left behind.
Community-Led Data Collection
Community Health Workers will collaborate with Grama Sevakas (GS) and Public Health Midwives (PHM) to collect health data for individuals aged 35+, supporting universal screening efforts.
Behavioural Change and Advocacy
Community Cancer Connectors will engage households, promote early detection, and foster long-term behavioural change—ensuring that cancer symptoms are never ignored and lives are saved.
📊 Evaluation Metrics
We measure success through:
- Screening Coverage: Number of individuals screened vs. target population
- Early Detection Rates: Cancers caught at early stages
- Participation Rates: Engagement across demographics
- Treatment Outcomes: Comparing results between program participants and others
- Follow-Up Rates: Ensuring continuity of care
- Awareness Impact: Public knowledge improvements via surveys
- Cost-Effectiveness: Healthcare savings and improved outcomes
- Community Feedback: Insights for ongoing improvement
🌱 Our Vision
This project is a vital step toward reducing cancer-related mortality and improving quality of life in Sri Lanka’s Northern & Eastern Provinces. By focusing on sustainability, collaboration, and long-term impact, we aim to build a resilient health system that empowers communities and saves lives.
Budget:
Cancer prevention and early detection program in the Kilinochchi district for one year
= SLR 6,587,220 (£17,558) (€ 21,373)
(£4,389 for one MOH area for one year)
It will be a joint project by JMFOA International and IMHO USA
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Summary – Updated Dec 25
Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Initiative
| 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.
What Your Support Achieved in Just 6 Months (Kilinochchi District): |