Mangaluru: An international, research-based cancer awareness initiative under the Capture project was launched in Permannur near Mangaluru recently.The project brings together the University of Luxembourg and two coastal Karnataka medical institutions—Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangaluru, and Father Muller Medical College Hospital. Capture, short for Cancer Awareness and Screening Promotion Through Utilisation of Community Resources and their Empowerment, is designed to strengthen cancer awareness and improve early detection through structured, theory-based community programmes.The project is led by Dr Jyoshma D’Souza, a public health implementation scientist based in Luxembourg. The initiative is positioned as part of the University of Luxembourg’s internationally collaborative public health research efforts linking academic research with community-based healthcare implementation in India.In India, Dr Abhishek Krishna, radiation oncologist at KMC Mangaluru, and Dr Jyotsna Coelho, consulting obstetrician and gynaecologist at Father Muller Medical College Hospital, serve as co-principal investigators supporting clinical implementation. Dr Abhishek is involved in outreach cancer screening, while Dr Jyotsna’s work includes research in obstetrics and gynaecological problems.The inaugural awareness programme was hosted at St Sebastian Church, Permannur, under the leadership of parish priest Fr Cyprian Pinto, who partnered with the project team to organise the first community camp.
