Breast Cancer – City Today News

Bangalore, 2023: Marking the Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, HCG Cancer Hospital Bangalore hosted a cyclothon with the theme “Ride to Beat Breast Cancer” to create awareness and educate about breast cancer for women. The chief guest for the event were well-known sandalwood actresses Ms. Neravanda Chetticha Prema and Ms. Ranjani Raghavan. The cyclothon was flagged-off by Ms. Manisha Kumar, the Regional Business Head for Karnataka, Dr. Mahesh Bandimegal, Senior Surgical Oncologist and Dr. Krithika Murugan, Surgical Oncologist, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bangalore. The participants were felicitated by the chief guests.

The event showcased a powerful display of community engagement, as participants united in solidarity for breast cancer awareness and championed the importance of early detection.

Ms. Manisha Kumar, The Regional Business Head for Karnataka, shared her thoughts on the event saying, “Breast cancer remains a significant public health concern. At HCG, our dedication goes beyond identification and treatment of the disease, reflecting our belief in a more comprehensive care. This is facilitated by increased awareness ensuring early-stage medical intervention. The cyclothon was organized with the purpose of inspiring women to remain cautious about early signs of breast cancer and to promptly seek screening. We wholeheartedly stand by the belief that, together, through increased awareness and proactive measures, we can have a profound impact on the lives of those battling breast cancer.”

Dr. Mahesh Bandimegal, Senior Surgical Oncologist, HCG Cancer Hospital Bangalore said, “We are delighted to witness such an enthusiastic participation in the cyclothon. This robust turnout by participants underscores the increasing awareness and proactive approach of individuals towards breast cancer and preventive care. It is heartening to see people come together in support of this crucial cause. Such collective efforts play a vital role in shaping a future where early detection and effective prevention are at the forefront of our battle against breast cancer.”

Dr. Krithika Murugan, Surgical Oncologist, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bangalore said, “Breast cancer is not only limited to older women, off late it is predominantly seen in the younger population as well. Screening and early diagnosis of cancer is the need of the hour, initiatives like the cyclothon not only bring attention to the severity of the issue but also underscore the pivotal role played by HCG Cancer Hospital Bangalore in early detection, preventive care, and support. We are committed to empowering individuals with the information and resources needed to confront breast cancer. Through such proactive measures, we strive to lead society toward a future free from the clutches of breast cancer.”

The event kicked off at 6 am from St. Joseph’s Ground on Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore and culminated at the same location, drawing an enthusiastic response from over 400 cyclists including women and senior citizens.

The cyclothon brought together people from varied walks of life to promote early breast cancer detection and treatment. The event was successfully concluded by recognising the exemplary participants, who were rewarded free breast cancer screening vouchers, commemorative photos etc. Through this event, HCG Cancer Hospital Bangalore has ignited a lasting commitment to building a healthier and more informed community.

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~ Lack of awareness related to ‘frequency’ and ‘best time’ for self-examination persists ~

Wednesday, October 28, 2020 : Neuberg Diagnostics – India’s fourth largest diagnostic chain– carried out a breast cancer awareness survey pertaining to self-breast examination, it’s importance and awareness on hereditary aspects of breast cancer. 70 percent of women are aware of the self-examination of breast cancer out of which 56 percent of women said that they do regular self-examination. However, 35 percent were not aware of when to start performing self-breast examination and 19 percent were unsure about what to do further if they noticed changes.
Dr. Anagha Zope, Breast Cancer Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad emphasized the need for women to start self-examination after 20 years of age and said that there is a need for women to be familiarized with their breast shape and size to detect subtle changes. While suggesting the signs women need to look for during self-breast examination, she said, “A lump in the breast or under the armpit, thickening or swelling of part of the breast, irritation on the breast skin, redness around the nipple area or breast, change in size or shape of a breast, breast pain, or blood discharge from the nipple area are some of the indicative symptoms of breast cancer.”

Dr Jayanti Thumsi, Lead Consultant – Breast Oncology, Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore recommended doing a self-examination one week after the period. She said, “The examination should be repeated at the same time every month because, during this window of the monthly cycle, the breasts are not very tender or lumpy. In the case of menopause, it is recommended to do self-examination on the same day every month.”

Dr. Arun Warrier, Medical Oncologist, Aster Medcity, Kochi emphasized the importance of getting clinically examined when you notice changes in your breast. He said, “Many women are now fearing going to the hospital due to the Corona pandemic, but it is important to catch breast cancer before it progresses. Early detection leads to better survival.”
Discussions amongst families about medical illnesses were far and few according to survey results as more than 50 percent were unaware regarding their family history.

Dr. Udhaya Kotecha, Clinical Geneticist, Neuberg Diagnostics said, “5-10 percent of patients have breast cancer due to a change (variation) in genes associated with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome. Identifying the underlying genetic variation helps assess risk for cancers in other organs and allows informed decision-making regarding risk reduction in surgery.”

Aishwarya Vasudevan, Group Chief Operating Officer, Neuberg Diagnostics said “In recent years, there has been a spike in the number of breast cancer incidences in India. Hormonal imbalances, child-bearing age preferences, and lifestyle changes are key factors in high incidences. Early detection can improve the chances of breast cancer survival. However, early detection can only happen when an individual is aware of what to look out for!”

She added, “We found that women are becoming more aware of the self-examination, however about 35 percent are still unaware about the next steps. The only possible solution to this is seeking medical guidance which can support early diagnosis, and access to more effective treatment. This will also help in reducing the number of post-breast cancer survivals in India which is reported at 60% for Indian women, as compared to 80% in the U.S”
Remember, “The best protection is Early detection” Aishwarya says.

In this survey, more than 400 respondents from about 100 Indian cities including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi and Hyderabad had participated. The age group of respondents was 18 and above.

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Tag: Breast Cancer

HCG Cancer Hospital Bangalore Organises ‘Ride to Beat Breast Cancer’ Cyclothon to Create Awareness on Breast Cancer

76% women aware about self-examination of breast cancer, finds Neuberg Diagnostics’ survey