Visakhapatnam : Observing the Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, HCG Cancer Centre launched breast cancer awareness initiative to fight against cancer. As a part of the initiative the hospital will be conducting month long free mammogram screening for women and will be lighting up more than 40 iconic statues on the beach road in Pink for four nights starting from 30th September to 3rd October 2022.

The awareness initiative was launched by the guest of honour Sri Golagani Hari Venkata Kumari, Mayor Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and Sri. Akkaramani Vijaya Nirmala, Chairperson, Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) in the presence of Dr VVS Prabhakar Medical Head and Dr. Aditya Kaura, Chief Operating Officer, HCG Cancer Center Visakhapatnam.

As per the National Cancer Registry Program Report in 2020, more than two lakh women in India were estimated to have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 76,000 deaths were reported as per the estimates. The number is expected to rise to more than 2.3 lakh cases in 2025.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Aditya Kaura, Chief Operating Officer, HCG Cancer Center Visakhapatnam said “Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in India. It is important to educate women on the rising incidences of breast cancer, primarily because of lack of awareness and care. Early detection plays an important role in breast cancer treatment. An initiative like free mammogram will benefit women especially those above 40 years. This effort by HCG is to encourage more women to get their breast screening done and educate them on breast cancer risk reduction and cure”.

With these awareness camps, the hospital urges more and more people to come forward and get checked for symptoms and treatment options. The success of cancer treatment depends on the stage of the disease, among other factors.

The free mammogram screening will be open for public from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday at the HCG hospital premises.