New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS): A 16-minute short film 'We Can Defeat Breast Cancer' was screened for a group of women in the capital Tuesday.
The film gave simple tips on how to detect the symptoms of the disease through self-examination.
The short film demonstrated the technique of breast examination by self as well as through mammography and stressed the need for early detection in a simple manner.
In the film, three doctors explain about the simple procedure of self-examination of the breasts with the help of three-dimensional animation. The film also breaks the myth that the process of mammography is not painful -- the patient undergoes a very brief period of pain during the process.
The statistics for breast cancer in India are worrying. About 90,000 women die in the country every year from breast cancer, more than any other form of cancer.
Experts state that early detection is vital for the treatment of breast cancer and add that it can be done easily.
"One needs to self-examine their breasts at least once in a month if one is of age 20 years and above. Those who have crossed 30 years of age should go for clinical breast examination. And for those who are above 40 years, mammography once in a year is a must," Ramesh Sarin, senior consultant, surgical oncology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.
Currently, one in 25 Indian women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. A study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that by 2020, one in eight urban Indian women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
"Indian women seek treatment very late. About 60 percent of them are in stage three or four when they come to us. Urban and educated women are unaware that they must conduct regular breast self-examination, ask their doctors to give them clinical exams and go for normal mammograms," Bhawana Awsathy, senior clinical oncologist.
The short film was screened in south Delhi's Hard Rock cafe, which is celebrating "Pink October" by serving specially prepared pink colour cocktails and selling products like t-shirts and badges. The money from the sales will benefit the Ogaan Cancer Foundation.