Breast cancer awareness survey 2020 initiated by Nanavati super speciality hospital reveals that most people lacked adequate knowledge about the disease, testing options and available treatments.
- Four out of ten people have heard of breast cancer but don’t know much about the disease.
- Poor awareness about Clinical Breast Examination, 52% think it’s done through mammography.
- 80% of population said they will not ignore the symptoms of breast cancer and seek medical help.
Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital Mumbai has released the findings of its Breast Cancer Awareness Survey themed ‘Learn, Educate, Change’. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancers among Indian women with the likelihood of almost one in 28 women under the threat of developing it. The survey comprised of 464 participants, with 85 percent of them being women.
The objective was to understand the level of awareness in symptoms, screening, diagnosis and treatment options for breast cancer. As a key highlight of the survey; just 42 percent participants lacked adequate knowledge about the disease, testing options and available treatments. However, most participants (80%) said they won’t ignore the symptoms of breast cancer and immediately seek medical help.
Commenting on the results of the survey, Dr Sanjay Dudhat, Head of Oncosurgery, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital said, “Though the awareness about breast cancer is low among masses, it’s welcoming that majority of them were certain to seek medical help in case of primary symptoms. Incidence of breast cancer is shifting towards younger population (below 40’s). Through optimized screening program for early detection and decentralization of treatment resources, we can reduce mortality of breast cancer.”
As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the incidence of breast cancer is expected to rise to 35 per 100,000 women by 2026. From the total of 464 people (men and women) who participated in the survey, 76 percent were in the age group of 26-60 years. 45 percent of those surveyed had either not heard about breast cancer, or had limited knowledge. 60 percent of respondents were aware of the Self Breast Examination and 80 percent mentioned that they would seek medical help in case of symptoms of breast cancer. The survey pointed to a poor awareness of the Clinical Breast Examination with 52 percent respondents thinking it is done through mammography. Most importantly, over 10% of the participants reported a family history of breast cancer.
“Between 5%-10% of breast cancers are linked to genetic mutation (BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes). Women with these genes have an 80% chance of getting breast cancer. Thus the role of genetic counselling along with frequent screening, mammography and in selected cases MRI mammography, becomes important for early detection of cancer among such high risk individuals,” Dr Dudhat added.
Proper healthy lifestyle, avoiding tobacco alcohol, balanced and nutritious diet, continuous physical activity, yoga and meditation are known ways to keep cancer at bay. ON the backdrop of World Breast Cancer Awareness month, experts hoped for cancer awareness & treatment opportunities to reach all rural and urban parts of India, to strengthen the fight against cancer.
