Experts urge for Awareness Creation to Dispel Myths and Stigma around Breast Cancer in WB, at the IHW Breast Cancer Action Month State Chapter
News Editor, Takmaa News, Kolkata, 3rd Nov 2022 : Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer type globally, impacting 2.26 million women with about 685 000 women succumbing to the disease. In West Bengal alone, it is a leading type of cancer amongst women in 14 districts out of 26.
To create awareness on the issue the think tank IHW Council organized a state panel discussionin collaboration with Rapid Global Cancer Alliance and Novartis, bringing together government representatives as well medical professionals to discuss about assessing the risk factors and screening practices of breast cancer in Urban cities of West Bengal.
While discussing about the barriers faced in early detection of the disease and screenings Dr. Abhishek Basu, Senior Consultant, Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Burdwan Medical College and Secretary AROI West Bengal Chapter, said. “Financial, social and educational backwardness and social taboos related with breast cancer result in women getting reluctant to go for treatment and screenings.”
The experts pointed out that 80 % women in third world countries seek medical intervention when the cancer is already at an advanced stage thus increasing the mortality rate. Dr. Arunabha Sengupta Hon. Secretary, Indian Cancer Society, Kolkata and Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Apollo, Gleneagles Cancer Hospital, Kolkata emphasized on the importance of innovative techniques when it comes to awareness campaigns and spreading the right message around and said, “for early detection repetitive screenings are important while also initiating knowledge about different forms of cancer and their risk factors.”
It is also imperative that women prioritize their health and well-being over household responsibilities and family life as many consider seeking treatment as a deterrent to their family life and responsibilities.
Dr. Kalyan Kusum Mukherjee, HOD, Dept of Medical Oncology, Subject Expert Committee, DCGI, MOH and FW. Govt Of India, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, highlighted that breast cancer screening should be integrated into general health screening to ensure more foot fall and numbers as people are wary of cancer screenings.
