Hamirpur , Awareness and timely screening have emerged as the most effective tools in the battle against cancer, with more than 470 people suffering from cancer identified in Himachal’s Hamirpur district over the last three years, officials said on Sunday.
The Health Department urged the public not to ignore symptoms and to undergo regular check-ups to detect the disease at an early stage. The department is extending its reach to every village in the district to facilitate cancer detection. Special emphasis is placed on screening for oral, breast, and cervical cancers. Through awareness camps, the Health Department is also educating the public about the early signs of cancer, ensuring that any unusual changes are not overlooked. At these centres, patients receive chemotherapy along with follow-up care. The patients do not need to be admitted to the hospital for this; after receiving their scheduled treatment, they are sent home the same day. Cancer patients identified within the district are undergoing treatment here.
Through the Health Department’s screening initiative, 474 cancer patients have been identified in the district over the past three years, 197 in 2024, 152 in 2025, and approximately 125 up to June 2026, said Hamirpur Chief Medical Officer Dr Satish Kumar. The Health Department has made provisions for 42 types of anti-cancer medications.
The CMO said that chemotherapy services are available at the Civil Hospital in Nadaun and the Medical College in Hamirpur. However, some patients are also opting to visit healthcare institutions in other districts for more advanced or specialised care, he said.
