The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Incidence of breast cancer high in cities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 12, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Incidence of breast cancer high in cities

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Till recently, cancer of cervix was the most common ailment among city women. However, present trend indicates that breast cancer is overtaking cervical cancer, at least in cities. Although difficult to substantiate with numbers, increasingly cancer experts believe this trend is also catching up in Hyderabad.

In the ongoing month-long breast cancer awareness and screening programme in twin cities taken up by Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, Dr. Reddy’s and London-based MKC Roko Cancer Charitable Trust, similar trends of prevalence are evident.

“Late marriages, not feeding breast milk, western lifestyle are some of the risk factors because of which women are falling prey to breast cancer in cities. About one lakh new cases are diagnosed every year in India. Our intention is to spread awareness so that lives can saved through early detection,” CEO of Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, Dr. P. Raghu Ram.

Chances of leading a quality life for patients with breast cancer is more compared to other type of cancer. “If this ailment is identified at an early stage, chances of the patient surviving for a decade is as high as 75 per cent,” he added.

The screening camp in itself is unique. This for the first time that such a venture has been taken up in association with Jarvis Breast Cancer Centre of London, largest breast cancer screening centre of UK. Two senior breast screening trainers have been specially flown from London to oversee the programme.

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