The Bikaner Cancer Care Foundation (BCCF) is dedicated to transforming the landscape of oncology in the Bikaner and Hanumangarh districts through community-led action, early intervention, and patient support.
1. Cancer Mitra Scheme (The Community Network)
The Cancer Mitra (Cancer Friend) scheme is our grassroots initiative designed to bridge the gap between rural communities and specialized healthcare.
• Objective: To appoint and train one dedicated volunteer in every Gram Panchayat (GP) of the Hanumangarh district.
• Key Responsibilities:
• Awareness: Conducting village-level meetings to educate people on cancer symptoms.
• Patient Navigation: Guiding suspected patients to the right medical facilities.
• Scheme Assistance: Helping patients access government health insurance and benefits.
• Follow-up: Ensuring patients do not drop out of their treatment cycles.
• Impact: By localizing our presence, we ensure that no patient feels alone in their fight against cancer.
2. Can-Screen Program (Early Detection & Surveillance)
Early detection is the most effective way to save lives. The Can-Screen program is a comprehensive screening and surveillance framework.
• The Four Pillars:
1. Prevention: Aggressive awareness campaigns regarding tobacco cessation and lifestyle modifications.
2. Early Detection: Regular screening camps using our mobile units to detect oral, breast, and cervical cancers in their earliest stages.
3. Treatment Navigation: Ensuring patients with positive screenings are immediately linked to Sardar Patel Medical College (SPMC) or other tertiary centers.
4. Surveillance: A robust follow-up system to monitor survivors and ensure long-term health post-treatment.
• Goal: To significantly reduce the percentage of patients who present with late-stage (Stage III or IV) cancer.
3. Can-Parivahan Scheme (Patient Transport)
Transportation is one of the biggest hurdles for rural patients seeking treatment. Can-Parivahan solves this by providing “Door-to-Hospital” connectivity.
• Objective: To provide free or highly subsidized transport for cancer patients from their Gram Panchayats to the treatment centers in Bikaner.
• Key Features:
• BCCF Transport Vans: Dedicated vehicles that run on a regular schedule across different blocks of Hanumangarh and Bikaner.
• Safe & Comfortable: Vehicles designed to keep immuno-compromised patients safe and comfortable during travel.
• Reduces Financial Burden: By removing travel costs, we ensure that poverty never becomes a reason for a patient to miss their chemotherapy or radiotherapy session.