Today, Manisha Parikh is doing her bit to spread awareness about breast cancer so that other women don't fall victim to this fatal disease.
Her most dreaded fear came true when she lost her sister to breast cancer. Today, Manisha Parikh is doing her bit to spread awareness about breast cancer so that other women don't fall victim to this fatal disease. One out of every 22 Indian women suffers from breast cancer, and it was this alarming truth that compelled Parikh to take the initiative to curb the menace and save lives by spreading awareness.
"The cases of breast cancer have increased considerably from the figures recorded a decade ago. And to curb the spread of this disease I have plans to start an NGO that will create awareness for its prevention," said Parikh.
India accounts for nearly six per cent of the deaths caused by breast cancer globally. In fact, the disease taking up the lives of most women in India is breast cancer. It is even rapidly overtaking the number of cervical cancer cases among Indian women. At an initial stage, breast cancer does not cause pain and may not even show any symptoms. It is usually detected when the person suspects a lump growing. It can be about the size of a finger tip before it can even be felt.
In a bid to check the spread of the deadly disease, the Breast Cancer Foundation by Sonal Ambani, who also lost her mother to the disease and established the foundation to create awareness, offers breast cancer check up for below Rs1,000.
"The key to avoiding breast cancer is early detection. If detected at an early stage, there is a 97 per cent chance of survival," said Ambani. "Although some causes of breast cancer can be checked, we cannot do much about factors like age, gender, genetics and family history. So, it's better to go for routine check-ups," she added. The foundation has also designed two commercials that have been internationally acclaimed with the AAAI award and are aired on national television.
Dr Rajan Joshi, a gynaecologist, said, "Women are recommended to examine their breasts once in a month to detect any changes or lumps. If one detects a lump during self-examination, family doctor should be consulted immediately. The average age of the high risk group in India is between 43 and 46 years. We are doing our bit by trying to spread awareness, but the turn out is very low. We even give out free pap smears to these women, but unless they themselves see the symptoms they do not come forward for a prior check up."
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