Fight Club

As a part of the study titled “Epidemiology of Breast Cancer in India”,undertaken by Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology,Bhattacharya presented these findings on the second day of the conference that was held at Indian Medical Association at Pune on March 9.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers across the world. Expressing concern over the scenario in India,Bhattacharya added that the survival rate of breast cancer patients is much lower in India compared to the West because healthcare is low on priority here,even in the urban areas. Elaborating on the possible causes for this type of cancer,he pointed out that late marriage,conceiving the first child late and less breastfeeding increases the risk of developing breast cancer.

Comparing the Indian scenario with the West,he said that the average age of high risk group in India is 43-46 years unlike in the West where women aged 53-57 years are more prone to the disease.

Along with Bhattacharya,this study was conducted by Dr A A Ranade,vice president,ISMPO,and Dr Hemant Malhotra,secretary of ISMPO.

Awareness Rally

Several rallies were organised by Breast Cancer Foundation – India and Decimate C,an anti-cancer Foundation,in the city recently. The rallies that started from various points in the city got together at the Shaniwarwada . It concluded with a talk by Padmashree Dr Rajendra Badwe,director of the Tata Memorial Hospital. Badwe emphasised on the need for physical fitness and urged everyone to follow the traditional Indian lifestyle. India’s ace shooter Anjali Bhagwat and mountaineer Krushnaa Patil were also present on the occasion.