One out of ten women in above 30 age group at breast cancer risk: GMC Jammu Principal

JAMMU: Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu Principal Dr Ashutosh Sharma Tuesday stated that one out of ten women, in the age group of 30 and above, was likely to have breast cancer, as per present prevalence rate.

“The breast cancer is one of the leading cancers found among women in India and data from HBCR (Hospital Based Cancer Registry) of GMC Jammu shows that in the Jammu division, it is the most common cancer among women. In the past 5 years, around 800 to 1000 cases have been detected and survival rate is between 40-50 percent. We want to raise it (survival rate) to 70-80 percent through awareness programmes emphasising upon its early detection,” he stated, while speaking to media persons on the sidelines of an awareness programme organised by State Cancer Institute, Jammu.

This programme was among a series of programmes, State Cancer Institute conducted to commemorate the “Breast cancer awareness” month.

The awareness programme was an effort to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer through education regarding its early detection, symptoms and treatment.

Dr Ashutosh Gupta, Principal & Dean, GMC Jammu flagged off awareness rally, which was followed by awareness lectures by Dr Bhavna Langar, Nodal Officer, Preventive Oncology Unit; Dr Sandeep Kour, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology and Dr Rajeev Gupta, Assistant Professor & HoD, Medical Oncology.

The programme was organized by Dr Deepak Kumar, Medical Superintendent, State Cancer Institute, Jammu which also included the launch of “Drive-pink” campaign for awareness regarding prevention and early detection of breast cancer.

“Greater awareness and knowledge will lead to early detection of breast cancer which is associated with higher long-term survival rates,” the participant doctors stressed.

The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast care awareness and the month of October is celebrated as National cancer awareness month.

The final year students of Government Ayurvedic College, Akhnoor presented a skit emphasizing the importance of early detection.

Dr Parmod Kalsotra, Professor & Head, Department of ENT, senior faculty members, staff, Dr Navneet Kour, Chairman, NGO Support, Dr Jagdish Thapa, Rajni Sharma, Rekha Rajput from ‘Jeevan Sangharsh Trust’ and nursing students of Government AMT School, Jammu also participated in the programme.

A number of NGOs including ‘Support’, ‘Rotary Bahu 3070’, ‘Maharaja Hari Singh foundation’ and ‘ISBTI’ and ‘Jeevan Sangharsh Trust’ collaborated with State Cancer Institute, GMC Jammu in the awareness programmes. (GK)