From Sullia to Puttur: M.I.O. and Sanjeevini Cancer Seva Trust March for Early Detection

What Happened in Puttur on December 13, 2025?

On December 13, 2025, Mangalore Institute of Oncology (M.I.O.) and Sanjeevini Cancer Seva Trust carried their cancer awareness mission to Puttur, organising a Cancer Awareness March and Dialogue Programme in association with Lions Club Puttur. The programme brought together healthcare professionals, community leaders, and local residents in a shared effort to make early cancer detection a household conversation across Dakshina Kannada.

Why Puttur? The Case for Grassroots Outreach

Puttur is one of Dakshina Kannada's most significant taluks, a busy commercial and cultural hub surrounded by villages and farmland where access to specialised medical care can be limited. For many residents here, a cancer diagnosis still arrives late, not because treatment isn't available, but because awareness isn't. That is what M.I.O. and Sanjeevini Cancer Seva Trust came to change. This Puttur initiative followed a successful programme in Sullia on the same day, reflecting M.I.O.'s commitment to covering the full breadth of coastal and inland Karnataka one community at a time.

The Cancer Awareness March: Carrying the Message Through Puttur's Streets

The Cancer Awareness March commenced from the Cancer Information Centre, Puttur, and concluded at Lion's Seva Mandir, a route chosen to maximise visibility and public engagement. The march was formally inaugurated by Umesh Nayak, President, Sahitya Parishath, Puttur, in the presence of:

• Jestalaxmi Boloor, Psychologist and Cancer Awareness Programme Coordinator, M.I.O.
• Dr. Raghavendra Prasad
• Dinesh Hegde
• Nazeer Bolnadu
• Balakrishna Nayak
• Shailesh Nayak

M.I.O. and Sanjeevini staff led the procession carrying awareness placards and distributing informational pamphlets covering:

• Early warning signs of cancer
• The link between lifestyle habits and cancer risk
• How to access free or subsidised cancer screening at M.I.O.

As with the Sullia march earlier that day, the team made a point of stopping to speak directly with auto-rickshaw drivers, daily workers, and local business owners, people who are often the last to receive structured health information and the first to benefit from it.

The Dialogue Programme: Personalised Health Education at Lion's Seva Mandir

After the march, the momentum shifted indoors. The Cancer Survey and Dialogue Programme at Lion's Seva Mandir, Puttur, moved the conversation from mass awareness to one-on-one education. The session was presided over by Jestalaxmi Boloor, in the presence of:

• Premalatha Rao
• Kavitha Sanil
• Sandhya Dinesh

The programme opened with a structured cancer awareness survey, conducted by M.I.O. staff to map what the community already knew and where the gaps were. This evidence-based approach ensures that follow-up outreach in Puttur is targeted and meaningful, not generic. The survey was followed by an informative address covering:

• Cancers most commonly seen in men and women across Karnataka
• Tobacco, diet, and sedentary lifestyle as preventable risk factors
• Screening timelines and what to expect during a cancer check-up
• Where and how to reach M.I.O. for further consultation

Frequently Asked Questions About Cancer Awareness in Puttur and Dakshina Kannada

What is the Lions Club Puttur's role in this cancer awareness programme?

Lions Club Puttur partnered with M.I.O. and Sanjeevini Cancer Seva Trust to host the Cancer Awareness March and Dialogue Programme, providing the venue at Lion's Seva Mandir and mobilising community members for the initiative. Civic organisations like Lions Club play a critical role in bridging healthcare providers and local communities.

Why is cancer awareness important in Puttur and surrounding areas?

Puttur and the wider Dakshina Kannada region have a significant rural and semi-urban population where late-stage cancer diagnosis remains a concern. Awareness programmes that reach people in familiar community spaces rather than waiting for them to visit hospitals are proven to improve early detection rates.

What cancers are most prevalent in coastal Karnataka?

Oral cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer are among the most frequently reported cancers in Karnataka. Oral cancers are particularly linked to tobacco and areca nut use, which remain common in coastal and inland Karnataka communities.

How does a cancer awareness survey help communities?

A cancer awareness survey assesses the baseline knowledge of a community — identifying misconceptions, gaps in information, and areas where health education is most needed. M.I.O. uses these surveys to design more targeted outreach for future programmes in the same area.

How can residents of Puttur access cancer screening at M.I.O.?

Residents can contact Mangalore Institute of Oncology directly on the cancer helpline 8050636777. M.I.O. operates across Mangalore, Udupi, and Thirthahalli, and regularly conducts outreach screening camps in Dakshina Kannada.

Two Towns, One Mission: M.I.O.'s December 13 Outreach

The fact that M.I.O. and Sanjeevini Cancer Seva Trust conducted back-to-back awareness programmes in both Sullia and Puttur on the same day speaks to something important: urgency. Cancer does not observe geography. It reaches villages and towns alike, and so must the people fighting it. By choosing communities like Sullia and Puttur, taluk-level towns surrounded by villages and farming households, M.I.O. is deliberately targeting the spaces where awareness is most needed and least available. The best time to detect cancer is before it becomes a crisis. The best place to start is the community.

Bring a Cancer Awareness Programme to Your Community

M.I.O. and Sanjeevini Cancer Seva Trust are actively expanding their outreach across Karnataka. If your organisation, panchayat, Lions Club chapter, or workplace would like to host a cancer awareness march or screening programme, reach out today. 📞 Cancer Helpline: 8050636777 📍 Mangalore | Udupi | Thirthahalli 🔖 #MIOCares