The Royal College of Pathologists of the United Kingdom has awarded its prestigious Achievement Award for 2023 for the molecular testing project at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.In 2022, Mithuruwela, the Cancer Support Network had funded a project to establish molecular testing for breast cancer at the Anuradhapura Hospital. This was the first time that molecular testing had been instituted at a state hospital and work commenced under the leadership of Dr Jayanjana Asangi and Dr Sanjeewanie Jayawardhana, Consultants to the histopathology laboratory at the Anuradhapura hospital.

Prior to this, molecular testing for those who needed it was not available to patients in state hospitals and was only available in private sector hospitals at great cost. Poorer patients who could not afford this test were therefore not able to avail themselves of the newer treatment procedures.

With the successful establishment of the molecular testing facility with support from Mithuruwela, Dr Jayanjana and her team have been able to help patients not only in the Anuradhapura district but in other parts of the island as well.

Established in 2005 by cancer survivors, Mithuruwela the Cancer Support Network carries out a range of activities including awareness-raising sessions and caregiver support. In June 2022 the organization decided to help support the establishment of molecular testing at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital. This initiative marks the first time molecular testing for breast cancer has been instituted in a laboratory attached to the Ministry of Health.

In spite of the current challenging climate, Mithuruwela was able to collect the required funds thanks to the generosity of donors such as the Tissa De Silva Trust, the Students Association of Edith Cowan University in Australia, well-wishers in Australia and New Zealand and a number of generous individuals in Sri Lanka and overseas. JL Morisons, the agents for the reagents also supported the cause by ensuring that the reagents reached Anuradhapura safely under refrigerated conditions.

Establishing testing for HER2/neu gene amplification at the Teaching Hospital of Anuradhapura would not only benefit patients with breast cancer, but would also blaze a new trail for cancer diagnostics in Sri Lanka. Mithuruwela is proud to be part of this pioneering venture.