Vayalikada Residents Welfare Association

The 3rd consecutive Pinktober Breast Cancer Early Detection and Awareness camp of 'Snehita Women's Health Foundation ‘was held on 14.10.2018 at Vayallikada, Vattiyoorkavu;a residential locality in Thiruvananthapuram.

     More than 100 people attended the cancer awareness session.65 women in Age group 25 -65 registered and underwent Clinical Breast Examination. A team of 4 Doctors and 12 well trained Snehita health volunteers worked round the clock from 9am to 3 pm .They attended each one with patience and advised and guided them for doing self-breast examination and for regular follow ups .

     Women from all walks of life came to the camp with a 'bag full of worries’ suspecting the worst about each and every lump they could feel. The sigh of relief was obvious when they returned with assurance from the camp that all that lumps up is not Cancer.

     "90 to 95 % of Breast lumps are not cancer, says Dr.Regi Jose, Medical Director, Snehita. "Only a good experienced clinician will be able to detect the 'marble' from the bag of rice. So make sure that you approach the right person at the right time".

     There is a false notion that "Mammogram’’ is complete, accurate and the only tool available for Breast Cancer detection. It is mainly to be used as a diagnostic aid .It might show some false negatives (missing cancers which could have been detected by CBE) and false positives raising false alarms. In wrong hands this might lead to a host of unnecessary treatments too. So a Mammogram if advised should always be preceded and followed by a clinical breast examination by a 'specialised' Doctor. Women aged 50 onwards may take a baseline Mammogram on the Doctor's advice.

     Among women Incidence of Breast Cancer rate is @ 30 %( of all female cancers) in Kerala. Incidence of Cervix Cancer which was predominant earlier has now been reduced to less than 10% due to the elaborate screening and better hygiene over the years

     Breast Cancer has now become the most dreaded disease in Women. Realising the importance of early detection Snehita steps in as a good friend offering free Clinical Breast Examination at their clinic and conducting awareness and detection camps among the public.

     Public has a wrong notion that executive check-ups or blood tests can detect all Cancers while the fact is that Cancer has a separate set of diagnostic tools; the most important being clinical examination by an expert...and in case of suspicion to ask for investigations like Mammogram, Colonoscopy etc.

     It should also be remembered that an early detection is worthwhile and advocated only for Breast, Oral, Cervical and Colo Rectal Cancers.Healthy food rich in dietary fibre, exercise habits, Breast feeding can help to prevent cancers
S.Suchitra
Team Snehita