The city’s famous landmark — Rockfort — is being illuminated in pink every evening for the past few days as part of efforts to raise awareness of breast cancer.
The illumination is being done as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the behest of Harshamitra Superspeciality Cancer Centre and Research Institute and Rose Garden Charitable Trust.
“The lights will be on until the end of October,” said G. Govindaraj, Managing Director, Harshamitra Super Speciality Cancer Centre & Research Institute.
“We wanted the people of Tiruchi to be aware of breast cancer and to understand what is to be done. The Rockfort, which is visible from anywhere in the city, lit in pink, will remind the people to go for regular check-ups and stay one step ahead,” he said.
A majority of patients with breast cancer are diagnosed only at an advanced stage of the disease, resulting in low survival rates, he pointed out.
“Efforts across the globe is being made to raise awareness of breast cancer including educating people on early identification, signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer, encouraging women to self-examine themselves once a month for early signs, visiting their doctor regularly, and undergoing mammogram screening,” according to Dr. Govindaraj.
Nearly 90% of early-stage breast cancers are curable, often with treatments that conserve the breast, provided the patient is diagnosed on time, he added.
