Guwahati: Two suspected cases of oral cancer and as many cases of cervical cancer were detected during a cancer-screening and awareness camp organised by the B. Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI) and Piramol Swaystha, an NGO, at South Sarania here on Tuesday.

Nearly 60 people attended the camp which was held to generate awareness about timely detection of cancer and its treatment.

During the nearly five-hour camp, a community interaction session was conducted followed by a seminar on use of tobacco and tobacco addicts.

Those who attended the camp were screened for oral, breast and cervical cancers, the three types of cancer that are common.

"The suspected cases will be followed up by more tests and treatment," preventive oncology in-charge of BBCI, Srabana M. Bhagabaty, said. "Vehicles with cancer-screening equipment are sent from the BBCI to remote villages for common cancer detection. However, ignorance and hesitation of patients towards availing themselves of the screening services are obstacles which we face every time, more so in the rural areas. Detection at an early stage saves lives, time as well as money," she said.

Oral and cervical cancers are common types of cancer in Assam.

In 2016, there were nearly 90,000 cancer patients in Assam of whom 86,405 were registered at the BBCI.