In order to battle against breast cancer and spread awareness, Aster Hospitals launched Sakhi, an initiative in collaboration with Swasthi Foundation. Commemorating International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Aster Hospitals also offers a free mammogram checkup to an underprivileged woman. The initiative is a part of Aster Volunteers, the CSR wing of Aster hospitals.
The initiative includes programmes shedding light on the importance of Awareness of breast cancer and early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, encouraging regular self-examination etc. To expand the initiative, Aster Hospitals also conduct breast awareness trainings and screenings in various colleges and corporates and enables 2500 plus women to spread the relevance. By enrolling Breast Self-Examination (BSE) training and opting for mammogram check, one can officially be part of Sakhi Army. You can continue to do check-up once a year and invite others also to be a part of the army. Aster Medcity will also offer a free mammogram checkup to an underprivileged woman for every ten women ( sakhi) who attends the training.
“All the women out there need to understand the importance of BSEs and regular mammograms. Detecting breast cancer early will put you one step ahead of the game in your fight against the disease. The best way to detect breast cancer is to get a mammogram early before it has grown large enough to cause symptoms or cause any discomfort,” said Dr. Jem Kalathil, Senior Consultant – Surgical Oncology.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Kerala. In spite of this, most women still avoid conducting self-examinations for breast cancer. According to a recent report, one in two women has not performed a self-exam despite knowing the signs of breast cancer.
“Sakhi is one among the many impactful initiatives of Aster Hospitals that addresses a concern like breast cancer and promotes awareness. It is also a pleasure for us to be involved in an initiative like this that serves many underprivileged people,” said Farhan Yasin, Regional Director of Aster Hospital, -Kerala & Oman Cluster.
Aster Medcity wears pink for an entire week to show support for breast cancer awareness.