A Report from a Community-Centric Cancer Control Approach in the Post-Conflict Northern Province of Sri Lanka

TL;DR

A community-based cancer education program in Sri Lanka's post-conflict Northern Province aims to improve cancer awareness and early detection through trained educators and health camps.

Contribution

The study introduces a culturally tailored, community-centric cancer control model using trained nursing students and local health systems in a post-conflict region.

Findings

Community Cancer Educators effectively delivered cancer awareness and screening in rural areas.

Collaboration with existing public health systems improved outreach and engagement.

Feedback indicated increased cancer awareness and willingness to participate in screening.

Abstract

Late-stage cancer diagnoses of prevalent cancers are increasing in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, a region currently rebuilding its healthcare system after a prolonged civil war. In this region, cancer prevention services are limited. We describe a community-centric approach to cancer education and prevention as a strategy to cancer control in this rural, post-conflict region. Nursing students were trained as Community Cancer Educators (CCEs), equipping them with essential knowledge about cancer symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of early detection. The training also included creative methods such as dance and drama to help CCEs communicate cancer-related messages in an engaging and culturally relevant manner. These CCEs supported the oncologist-led community health camps in delivering cancer education and screening directly to community members within their community. We planned the health camps in collaboration with the existing community-based public health system for better outreach. Feedback from community participants and healthcare providers suggests that this community-centric approach can improve cancer awareness, encourage participation in population screening, and support early cancer detection. This approach could strengthen community engagement and contribute to more equitable access to prevention and screening services in rural, post-conflict settings with limited healthcare infrastructure.

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