The Marina beach was awash with splashes of pink on Sunday evening, when nearly 2,000 volunteers, sporting pink t-shirts, ribbons and umbrellas, took out a rally to create awareness on breast cancer.
The ‘One Walk One Hope' rally, organised by CAN-STOP, had celebrities, including actors Khushboo and S.Ve.Shekher, participating for the cause. Addressing the participants, they said there was a growing need to create awareness among rural women and stressed the importance of early detection.
U.S. Consul General Andrew T. Simkin said it was a day to express support for cancer patients and survivors. Despite the growing awareness about breast cancer, many women across the world still do not come forward to do periodical self-examination or get medical help.
The social stigma attached to cancer must be completely broken and women should be encouraged to share their views.
“My family member is a cancer survivor and she was fortunate enough to get it diagnosed at an early stage. Early diagnosis is a key for survival,” he said.
Principal Secretary Health V.K. Subburaj said there are nearly one lakh women diagnosed with breast cancer in the country. Nearly 80 per cent of women seek medical help only in the advanced stages of the disease, when the treatment becomes difficult and painful.
A regular check-up for women who are above 40 years is a must to fight cervical and breast cancer, he added.
CAN-STOP founder Vijaya Bharathi Rangarajan and the celebrities released pink balloons and flagged-off the rally.
Students from various schools and colleges, community groups, corporate executives and members of various voluntary organisations walked from Lady Wellingdon College to Labour Statue, carrying placards with awareness messages.
