Agartala, 30th September 2026 : With breast cancer continuing to account for a significant share of cancer cases among women, the Tripura Health Department on Wednesday launched a month-long statewide awareness campaign aimed at promoting early detection, screening and timely treatment.
Health Secretary Gitte Kirankumar Dinkarrao inaugurated the campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026 at the State Guest House in Agartala. Senior officials from the Health Department and National Health Mission, including Additional Secretary-cum-Mission Director Saju Vaheed, Directors of Health Services and Family Welfare, Joint Mission Director, NHM, Member Secretary, State Health &FM Society, NHM and Chief Medical Officers from all districts, attended the programme.
According to GLOBOCAN 2022, around 23 lakh women were diagnosed with breast cancer globally in 2022, while about 6.7 lakh died from the disease. In India, an estimated 2,37,231 new cases and 96,100 deaths were recorded in 2024, with breast cancer accounting for 30.4 per cent of all cancers among women.
The disease has also emerged as an important public health concern in Tripura. Data from the Tripura Population-Based Cancer Registry of ICMR for 2012–2016 showed that breast cancer constituted 14.4 per cent of all female cancer cases in the state, affecting approximately one in 123 women.
The government has been expanding screening efforts through the Mukhyamantri Niramay Arogya Abhiyan (MNAA), launched by Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on December 31, 2025. Under the initiative, dedicated screening drives are organised twice annually—from January 1 to 14 and July 14 to 31—through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Primary Health Care facilities, covering cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
As part of the October campaign, public awareness materials and technical resources for healthcare professionals, students, academicians and other stakeholders were released on Wednesday. Jhpiego is providing technical assistance for the initiative.
The campaign will involve workshops with AIIMS and Jhpiego, consultations with healthcare providers and ASHAs, seminars in medical and paramedical institutions, media-based awareness programmes and social media outreach. PRI members will also be engaged in interpersonal communication, while CHOs and ANMs will conduct community-level activities during Village Health and Nutrition Days.
State Programme Officer for Non-Communicable Diseases Dr Arjun Saha presented the campaign roadmap and highlighted the importance of awareness and early detection.
Addressing the gathering, the Health Secretary urged health workers, institutions and members of the public to participate in the month-long initiative and stressed the need for collective action to improve early detection, prevention and continuity of breast cancer care across Tripura.
