Hyderabad, October 27, 2020…Breast Cancer is curable, provided if it is diagnosed well in advance. Best way is to early diagnosis by way of regular self examination from the age of 40 years at regular intervals. Clinical Examination and Mammogram are other diagnosis methods available. Take annual check-ups more seriously, says Dr Pragnya Chigurupati, one of the very few qualified female Breast Oncology and Oncoplastic Surgeons in Hyderabad and is currently associated with American Oncology Institute.

She was addressing a virtual meet ‘Check the Change’, all one needs to know about Breast Cancer to about 50 plus FICCI FLO members on Tuesday evening

After lighting lamp to mark the inauguration of the conversation, delivering her welcome address Usha Rani Manne, Chairperson of FLO said one disease that is cause of concern for millions in the world in this pandemic is big C, the Cancer.

This disease knows no boundaries, borders. It’s agnostic to race, age, and it certainly does not care for socio-economic status. It is estimated that one in every 28 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Survival rate in India is about 60%, a lot lesser than some other countries such as USA, and this is not merely because of a lack of accessibility to medical infrastructure but because of a lack of awareness in the first place she said

Delivering her talk, organised as part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Pragnya dispelled many common myths such as finding lump in the breast means you have a breast cancer. That is not true, not all lumps women develop are cancerous, she explained

Another myth, Men do not get breast cancer. It is not true, they too are subjected to it. But, such cases are very small, she said

Another common myth people worried about is: Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get breast cancer. There is no truth in it fully. The truth is while women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, but, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. Only 5 to 10% Breast Cancer are hereditary.

Generally people have a wrong notion that Breast Cancer is a communicable disease, but, in reality, it is not she said. You can not catch Breast Cancer or transmit it to someone else’s body. It is the result of uncontrolled cell growth in your own body, Dr Pragnya explained.

Another wrong perception people have: breast cancer means removal of whole breast(Mastectomy). But that is not right. For early breast cancer, there is no need of removal of the whole breast. It has proved in several trials that breast conservation surgery is equally safe and effective as mastectomy and the cosmetic results are excellent 

The incidence of Breast Cancer while here in our country is 1 in 28, but the same in USA is just 8, in rural 64 and urban in 22.  The survival rate in our country is 60% but in the USA it is well over 90%. We can achieve better results through awareness she said.

The message was loud and clear: Early detection saves lives.

Let’s work together to make stories of survivors, the story for every woman diagnosed with breast cancer said Usha.

FLO members are going to wear Pink next 3 days, will make a photo or video post thoughts on Breast Cancer Awareness, on their individual social media handles

Priya Gazdar, Honorary Secretary in her opening remarks to set tone for the conversation said whether it’s a personal diagnosis or that of a loved one, finding answers to your questions and a supportive community of people who understand the experience can make all the difference.

From today’s talk we hope to spark that realisation and conversation, not only for ourselves but for all those who love us.

The talk ended with members asking questions and answering their questions