Scitech Park, Pune had undertaken DNA based diagnostics for early detection of cervical cancer for women in the villages namely – Panhala, Apati, Kodoli, Kale, Mahe, Sangwade, Arag and Pohale T. Alate and Shirol of Kolhapur District. Approximately, 3000 to 4000 rural women from these villages had been sensitized by conducting awareness and health camps.

This initiative was funded by ECGC Ltd., Mumbai under their CSR Programme. The project of screening of 500 women for cervical cancer by conducting Digene HPV test was completed and the generated reports were submitted to the consulting doctor to counsel the patients and take necessary action for the positive reports.

This project provided an entry point to introduce cervical cancer and its prevention through creating awareness amongst women from rural villages in Kolhapur District and served as a focal point to train appropriate personnel in screening, early detection, treatment and follow-up of cervical pre-cancers in rural villages. This has proven to be a useful platform for screening cervical cancer which is completely curable through early stage diagnosis, counseling, periodic monitoring and treatment.