Each day at the Ayushman Arogya Mandir in Sribhumi District brings patients with symptoms that are often unclear, delayed, or misunderstood. For Nazia Hassan, Community Health Officer at Basla Ayushman Arogya Mandir, providing the right care now feels more confident and timely. Through ECHO India’s Cancer Care Bharat program, she has strengthened her clinical judgment and transformed the way she approaches cancer at the community level.
At the health centre, where early signs are easy to miss and fear often delays care-seeking, a quiet shift is underway. Nazia is no longer just responding to symptoms, she is identifying risks earlier, asking the right questions, and ensuring patients receive timely referrals. As Nazia shares, “The training changed the way I think. I now look beyond immediate symptoms, ask deeper questions, and approach every case with greater confidence.” This transformation has been shaped by a learning experience that went beyond theory, focusing on practical decision-making and real-life case discussions.
Before the training, limited exposure and uncertainty often made early diagnosis challenging. Nazia recalls a case where a patient was not referred in time due to gaps in clinical reasoning. “There was a time when uncertainty held me back, and I still remember a case where delayed decision-making affected the patient’s journey. That experience stayed with me,” she reflects.
Soon after the training, a similar case presented itself. This time, her approach was different. Applying her learnings, she assessed the symptoms more carefully and referred the patient for Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC). The diagnosis, Hodgkin’s lymphoma was confirmed. The patient was then referred to Assam Cancer Care Foundation, received treatment, and is now recovering well, showing clear signs of improvement. For Nazia, this was more than a clinical success; it marked a turning point in her practice. “This time, I knew what signs to look for and what action to take. Seeing the patient recover reminded me how the right decision, made early, can truly save lives,” she says.
Earlier, identifying early signs of cancer and making timely decisions were significant challenges. Now, Nazia approaches each case with greater clarity and structure. She focuses on gathering detailed patient histories, improving communication, and recognising subtle warning signs that may otherwise go unnoticed.
This shift has also changed how she interacts with patients. With a deeper understanding that cancer brings emotional and psychological distress alongside physical challenges, she now prioritises honest and transparent communication. “Patients need more than treatment, they need understanding, clarity, and reassurance. I have learned that how we communicate can shape how they face their diagnosis,” Nazia explains. Patients are now better informed about their condition and treatment options, helping them feel more supported and less fearful.
The virtual nature of the training has made learning more accessible and inclusive. Without the need to travel, Nazia and her peers could regularly engage with experts and discuss real cases. “One of the biggest strengths of this program was that knowledge came to us. We didn’t have to leave our communities to learn, we could connect, grow, and improve from where we were,” she says. The experience has not only built her confidence but also strengthened her ability to make decisions in complex situations, something critical in primary care settings.
Today, the impact of this learning extends beyond individual cases. Nazia is actively applying her knowledge in day-to-day fieldwork and sharing it with her colleagues and team members, helping build a more capable and confident frontline workforce. “What I have learned shouldn’t stop with me. Sharing this knowledge with my team means more patients can benefit, and stronger care can reach farther,” she adds.
In a setting where stigma, fear, and lack of awareness often delay diagnosis, these changes matter. Early detection, informed decisions, and compassionate communication can significantly alter patient outcomes.
Through this program, healthcare providers like Nazia Hassan are bridging critical gaps in cancer care, ensuring that patients are not only diagnosed earlier, but are also supported through every step of their journey.
Because at the frontline, the right decision at the right time can change everything.