Cancer Early Detection Centre Opens at Colombo National Hospital

A new Cancer Early Detection Centre (CEDC) has been opened at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo, strengthening access to early cancer screening and timely specialist care.

The centre operates under the National Cancer Control Programme and is located on the first floor of the Infectious Diseases Clinic Building within the hospital’s Outpatient Department (OPD).

The CEDC focuses particularly on the early detection of three commonly diagnosed cancers in Sri Lanka — breast, cervical and oral cancer. Services available at the centre include clinical examinations, breast examinations, mammography, ultrasound scans and cervical cancer screening, depending on individual requirements.

Patients with suspected conditions can be referred to relevant specialist clinics for further assessment and treatment.

All services provided through the centre are free of charge. According to current official information, the centre is open from 8.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on weekdays, excluding public holidays.

Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes for many cancers by allowing patients to receive appropriate care at an earlier stage. The new centre therefore provides an important opportunity for people to access screening and seek medical advice without delay.

The opening of the CEDC further expands access to cancer early-detection services in Colombo while strengthening the referral pathway between screening and specialist treatment.