Breast cancer: 4 minutes for early detection

Bengaluru: Twenty-three-year old Shakeela Banu and her friends came all the way from Kengeri to learn about breast examination at an awareness camp organised by BGS Global Hospital at Kanteerava stadium. “We were asked to come here by doctors at Raja Rajeshwari Hospital to learn about breast health. We got examined and I am relieved that I have no problem,” Shakeela said.

“It was over in four minutes and I am excited to go back and teach my friends to do the same and spread awareness,” said Amreen Taj (21). More than 2,300 women participated in the programme and each one was taught about breast self-examination.

Sabu Bhusal, a volunteer and BGS hospital staff, said, “Women should take time out and do monthly breast self-examination as it can help keep cancer at bay.” “Early detection is very important and one should do a breast self examination and women should spread awareness,” said Jincy Rachel Joy (21) from SJB College.

As for the disease, Dr Jayanthi Thumsi, Consultant, Breast Cancer Surgeon, BGS Global Hospital said, “I see some 15-20 new breast cancer cases every month and surprisingly a lot of them are youngsters, because of their lifestyle. Hence breast examination is very important so that any abnormality or lump if detected at an early stage can be treated and cured easily.”

“All it takes is four minutes in a month to keep cancer at bay and many women feel shy about it and don’t go to doctors, but they should,” she added.

Dr Jayanthi pointed out that the magnitude of the problem was huge and treatable, but lamented that patients approach doctors very late. “Breast cancer if detected and treated early will help in better clinical outcomes and quality of life. Unfortunately in our country, 60 per cent of women report to doctor for the first time when the disease is already in an advanced stage and hence succumb to the disease. We can beat breast cancer, the prerequisite is early detection. Breast self-examination for all women after 20 years of age, once in a month and Mammogram for women after 40 years of age once in a year is recommended,” she said.

Aiming for Guinness

BGS Global Hospital has organised the world’s largest simultaneous breast self-exam, at Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru, with more than 2,300 women from different walks of life learned on how to do breast self-examination under supervision. The event was supported the state government.

The organisers had followed guidelines of Guinness World Records in attempting to create a new record. All the materials pertaining to the record like registration forms, consent forms, video recording of the event,  will be sent to Guinness World records for the adjudication.