Role of teachers in early detection of breast cancer stressed

Tiruchirapalli, Oct 25 : Women teachers have a great role in early detection of breast-cancer among adolescent girls especially those in rural areas, Managing Trustee of Gandhigram Trust and Hospital, Dindigul, R Kousalya Devi said.

Speaking at the ‘Breast Cancer Awareness and Survivors meet’ organised by Dr K Shantha Breast Cancer Foundation here last night, Dr Kousalya Devi expressed concern over the lack of awareness among the rural girls about the symptoms of the disease which was curable if detected early.

Though girls and women in both urban and rural areas were affected by the disease, the stage of detection was seriously delayed in rural areas, she added.

She said women and mothers should be sensitised to the symptoms of the disease and doctors should ensure that every woman aged above 40 years was screened for both breast and cervical cancer.

She also cautioned the affected mothers that being a hereditary phenomenon they should be doubly careful in ensuring its prevention among their daughters.

Mothers should shun their inhibition in ensuring prompt treatment of their daughters with symptoms of the disease, she added.

Any hesitation on part of the girls and carelessness on the part of parents would result in the breast cancer developing into an advanced stage, she warned.

She also highlighted the telemedicine facility available at Gandhigram linked to the Cancer Institute in Adayar. The link facilitated screening and prompt follow-up treatment.

Breast self examination, clinical breast examination and mammography screening were some of the screening techniques, she added.

In his address Trustee of the Foundation K Govindaraj said the Foundation had so far organised about 100 awareness camps on breast cancer in several villages of the Tiruchirapalli region since its inception.

--UNI

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