Workshop on Breast and Cervical Cancer 

“Leading an active life, combined with healthy food habits is essential to good health”.

A workshop on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer was premeditated by the Commission for Women in collaboration with Health Commission to endorse health awareness among girls and young women on 5th December, 2021 in the Church Hall. 

“Prayer      is      the      nearest      approach      to      God.”      William      Law.

The thought-provoking session initiated with invoking God’s spirit, to mould, melt and fill all with His grace and light through rendition of a Prayer Song by Mrs. Jyothi Saldanha and Group. 

Rev Fr Anil Canute D Mello the Parish Priest, Mr. Ravi Saldanha – Vice President, Parish Pastoral Council, Mr. Prakash Pereira – Secretary, Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs. Zita Usha Fernandes – Co-Ordinator, Commission for Women, Mr. Francis Gonsalves – Co-Ordinator, Health Commission and Mr. Maurice Renjal-CoOrdinator of 21 Commissions were on the dais for the inauguration ceremony. 

Mrs. Usha Fernandes welcomed the assemblage and introduced The Resource Person Dr Dhanya Prabhu, Senior Resident- KMC Hospital, Mangaluru. Mrs. Usha Fernandes while welcoming the dignitaries and the gathering drove home the objective of this camp quoting “Do not let illness realize the value of health”. Especially at a time when we are bombarded with excess information in social media, it becomes rather difficult for an ordinary human being to filter the truth from the myth. She further added “When we are in a state of confusion especially with issues dealing with health, it’s always prudent to hear from the horse’s mouth and in this case seek advice from a medical professional”. 

As a figurative gesture towards illumination, the dignitaries on the dais lighted the Diya and instated the workshop with Asathoma Sadgamaya sung by Ms. Nirmala DSouza. 

Rev Fr Anil DMello, the Parish Priest, in his galvanizing message expressed ways to practice self-love for good mental and physical health. Fr.Anil D’mello in his speech said “Importance of a woman at home can’t be overemphasized when it comes to health care of the entire family. During olden times, every woman in a household was familiar with administering home remedies. Even today, it’s the mother or grandmother in a household, first to know any health abnormality of a 

member. Therefore, if a woman is healthy, the entire household stays healthy.” 

The Resource Person Dr. Dhanya Prabhu then took over the session. She dealt with the signs and symptoms of Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer – its cause and importance of screening for early detection, remedies & self-help with the help of PPT. Dr Dhanya also shared survivor stories that in turn gave a message of hope and confidence to the participants and said “prevention is always better than cure”. There was an active interaction session between women and Dr. Dhanya. 150 women from the parish and neighbourhood were the beneficiaries of this workshop. Dr. Dhanya handled doubts clearing sessions more efficiently and also took clinical breast examinations on few women who were keen to undergo the test. Projector and sound system were installed by Pramith, Lester and Leslie. Mr. Francis Gonsalves, Health commission coordinator delivered the vote of thanks. Mrs. Gretta Vas compered the programme. 

On the whole the workshop left a great and an unprecedented influence on the audience.