Kottakkal – India’s First Cancer Literate Municipality
Malappuram, Kerala: Kottakkal has made history by becoming India’s first cancer literate municipality, setting a new benchmark in public health awareness and community-driven healthcare initiatives. This milestone was achieved through an exhaustive campaign blending grassroots engagement, educational outreach, and medical collaboration, driving home the importance of cancer literacy in combating the rising burden of the disease across the country.
The project was jointly executed by Kottakkal Municipality and CanCare India Foundation. The announcement was made by Deputy Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly and senior politician PK Kunhalikutty MLA in an event held at Kottakkal on Wednesday. Loksabha member Abdusamad Samadani MP received the comprehensive report on Kottakkal’s full cancer literacy in the event.
Kottakkal Municipal Chairperson Dr. Haneesha handed over the certificate of literacy from the municipality and the appreciation to the CanCare India Foundation. Dr. Mohamed Sheedh Abdul Wahid, the president of CanCare India Foundation received the honor from the municipality.
“Kottakal’s triumph as India’s first cancer-literate municipality is a defining moment in national health progress. I extend heartfelt gratitude to Deputy Leader of Opposition PK Kunhalikkutti, MP Abdussamad Samadani, and Municipal Chairperson Dr. Haneesha for their unwavering support. Together, with schools, Kudumbashree, ASHA workers, and citizens, we achieved 100% cancer literacy—pioneering a healthier, cancer-aware India,” Dr. Mohamed Sheedh Abdul Wahid said after the event.
The declaration of Kottakkal as the first cancer literate municipality is a significant leap for Kerala – a state already known for progressive healthcare and education, and also a state which has its cancer incidence has gone much above the national average, with recent data showing an incidence of 243/lakh population in men and 219/lakh population in women, against the national average of 105/lakh for men and men and 103/lakh for women.
MP Abdussamad Samadani at the event
Cancer literacy here means that a vast majority of the local population not only understands the primary risks, symptoms, and prevention strategies related to cancer but also knows how to access screening, support, and treatment. The initiative, spearheaded by CanCare India Foundation in partnership with the local municipality, reflects an extraordinary coming together of healthcare professionals, civic leaders, educational institutions, and community volunteers to create a model for cancer literacy.
Over several months, to achieve this feat, intensive educational drives took place across all 32 municipal wards of Kottakkal. Workshops, medical camps, public seminars, and home visits helped to debunk myths, distribute reliable information, and foster open discussion about cancer – topics that are often avoided due to stigma or fear. Health workers collaborated closely with oncologists and general practitioners, while teachers and school administrators ensured that cancer awareness reached even the youngest residents.
One of the remarkable aspects of the campaign was the door-to-door approach, where trained volunteers visited over 20,000 families, disseminating leaflets and engaging in personal conversations about early detection and lifestyle modifications. The municipality also made effective use of digital platforms and social media to reach wider audiences, ensuring that no segment of society remained uninformed.
Educational institutions played a pivotal role, with school and college students participating in awareness rallies, interactive seminars, and creative competitions related to cancer prevention and support. Teachers underwent specialised training in cancer awareness and symptom recognition. By integrating this knowledge into school curricula and extracurricular sessions, a new generation of cancer-aware citizens is being groomed in Kottakkal.
Dr. Mohamed Sheedh Abdul Wahid at the event in Kottakkal
The municipal council also included cancer literacy in its ongoing health and sanitation agenda, ensuring that the efforts were sustained beyond the initial campaign period. Regular review meetings and reporting mechanisms have been established to assess the continued impact of the literacy drive and plan further initiatives as necessary.
The programme was strongly supported by oncologists, local hospitals, and cancer care centres, who provided expertise and resources for mass screening campaigns and public health check-ups. Cancer survivors and their families were given platforms to share their stories, further dissolving the taboos often associated with a cancer diagnosis and encouraging others to seek timely medical help. Special attention was given to high-risk groups and vulnerable populations, ensuring that everyone – regardless of socio-economic status – benefitted from improved cancer literacy.
As a result of the combined efforts, Kottakkal now boasts 100% coverage in cancer awareness among its residents. Surveys, interviews, and feedback collected from the local community indicate an unprecedented rise in public confidence to seek timely screening and professional consultation upon noticing symptoms. The success of this campaign has drawn attention from public health bodies and policymakers nationwide, who are studying the Kottakkal model with interest and considering its replication in other regions.
CanCare India is a national movement advancing cancer awareness, early detection, and community-based prevention through education, research, and public engagement. Its impactful initiatives – like Canclave Kottakkal, India’s first 100% cancer-literate municipality – reflect its mission to make cancer knowledge accessible to every household.
