: A woman dies of breast cancer every 10 minutes in India and in 70 per cent of cases, the disease is in an advanced stage by the time it is detected, said P. Raghu Ram, an expert in the field, here on Monday.
Dr. Raghu Ram, CEO of the Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, made these observations at a sensitisation programme for government doctors and ANMs of seven districts at the Government Hospital here. It was inaugurated by city Mayor Pantam Rajani Seshasai.
‘Indian solution
need of the hour’
He said there is need for a paradigm shift in the early detection of breast cancer. Population-based screening programme by way of mammography is not a viable option for India. There is an urgent need to find ‘Indian solutions to Indian problems.’ Breast cancer screening by way of Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) by a well-trained healthcare worker is simple, inexpensive and viable, Dr. Ragu Ram, a Padma awardee, added.
Ms. Rajani said it is important to creating awareness among women, particularly literates, about dreaded diseases such as breast cancer.
The training programme, for 100 core healthcare workers and doctors, is being conducted in partnership with the State government.
They will in turn train others in the seven districts under the guidance of the Ushalakshmi foundation.
A similar training session will be held for 100 core healthcare workers and doctors in Tirupati on 13 April for the remaining 6 districts.
By the end of May/June, all the healthcare workers and doctors will have been trained to perform CBE and will commence breast cancer screening within the community.
Vijayakrishnan, Sub-Collector, Rajamahendravaram, Dr. Geeta Prasadini, Additional Director, Health and Family Welfare, and Dr. Rajender, Joint Director, Health and Family Welfare, spoke.
