The deemed university of science, in association with the US-based Grace Cancer Foundation and Collective Power of One International (CPIO), created a Guinness World Record by organizing a cervical cancer awareness program on its campus at Vadlamudi in the district on Saturday.
According to Guinness World Records judge Swapnil Dangarikar, who attended the event, this was the first time such an event was held for more than 3,465 women, breaking the previous record held for 1,919 women.
The chief guests included Dr. Chinnababu Sunakavalli, Robotic Surgical Oncologist at Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad, Dr. Satya S. Kalangi, Founder and CEO, CPIO, Texas, USA, Dr. Dale Climie, Fertility Specialist and Board Members of CPIO. and Dr. Venkat Sujatha, Fertility Specialist.
Speaker Lavu Rathiah, and Vice Speaker Lavu Srikrishna Devarayulu were also present.
Dr. Chinnababu Sanakavalli highlighted the lack of awareness about cervical cancer screening and its life saving potential. He said that about 71,000 Indian women die of cervical cancer every year and this number could increase to lakhs without widespread screening. He said that simple screening methods like mammography, oral examination, chest X-ray and Pap smear test can help in early detection and treatment.
They found that more than half of new cases of cervical cancer occurred in women who were rarely or never screened.