Breast cancer awareness needs to be strengthened, urge doctors

Stating that many tend to go by the myths, Dr Anitha Ramesh, a renowned oncologist, said, “I have come across cases of women believing everything they hear, irrespective of whether it is true or not. They tend to believe that most lumps on the breast are cancerous, or that breast cancer affects only older women and the like.” 

Stressing on the need for the public to avoid falling for all that is available on the internet or any information received from an unauthentic source, Dr Ramesh, said, “These are myths and it is sad that people have been falling for it. Despite awareness programmes being held all year through and doctors urge the public to identify the symptoms and approach them at the earliest. However, many continue to remain unaware.”

Stating that she has come across the most hideous myths, she said, “I have had instances of people asking me if cancer would spread following a surgery. They feel that chemotherapy is extremely painful and refrain from approaching doctors at the earliest. Instead, they opt for the Indian medication system. In fact, many do not even know, what breast cancer is and when they should report to a hospital.”

Dr Sundar M, another Oncologist, said, “It is reported that a woman succumbs to breast cancer every 10 minutes in our country. One of the main factors for this is the lack of awareness on the symptoms and the condition in general. Besides, there isn’t any proper screening programme that our state has wherein women can come forward for screening.”

On cancer treatment, Swathi N, a college student, opined, “I heard cancer is a killing disease. Treatment too is seemingly very frightening. How do people undergo such painful procedures such as chemotherapy?” 

Saranya Nair, a school teacher said, “Why should one go for the painful treatment when the option of Indian medicine is also there. They will not only be useful in treatment, but its relaxing quality will help keep patients mentally at peace as well.”