MTMH Jamshedpur launches breast cancer awareness campaign

Jamshedpur, October 2: October is designated the Breast Cancer Awareness month by WHO. Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally (2.3 million new cases/ year). It represents a quarter of all cancers in women with 70% mortality occurring in resource constrained settings. In India too, it has replaced cervical cancer as the most common cancer in women.

There is lack of disease awareness resulting in late-stage diagnoses and poor outcomes. Most breast caner patients in India are diagnosed as stage 3 or 4 disease. There are established screening guidelines but most women are unaware and do not get screened for breast cancer.

The WHO theme this year is ‘No one should face breast cancer alone’.

MTMH, in partnership with Rotary Club of Jamshedpur West has planned a month-long awareness and early detection campaign to address this theme. Awareness sessions on breast cancer have been planned in colleges, schools, various women’s clubs and bastis and for the sahiyas who reach out to the rural population. Awareness pamphlets will be distributed. Free screening mammography will be done for women registering during the awareness sessions. Specialist talks and awareness messages will be aired on radio.

Daisy Irani and Dr R. N Sharma, Chairman MTMH launched this year’s campaign on October 1st at MTMH OPD. Dr Koshy Varghese, Director MTMH welcomed the guests that included Rotary club and Inner Wheel members, school and college principals and representatives from Tata Steel Foundation. The campaign was introduced by Dr Sujata Mitra, Advisor, MTMH.

Dr Tamojit Chaudhuri, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, MTMH gave a presentation on Breast Cancer and Dr Sanghamitra Jena, HOD Surgical Oncology, TMH presented the surgical perspective. Dr Amit Mukherjee, President, Rotary Club of Jamshedpur West spoke on the role of community advocacy.