Breaking the taboo

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer that affects Indian women. It is a potent killer, taking thousands of lives every year. Lack of awareness, particularly in the rural areas, coupled with societal stigma are a hurdle to early detection and treatment, reducing overall survival for many. Breaking the silence is the need of the hour if outcomes with breast cancer were to be improved.

Taboo- The biggest hurdle

In most parts of rural India and even urban households, discussion around women’s health still remains a taboo. Women are uncomfortable discussing their breast health, leading to lack of knowledge and screening, that eventually masks the early warning signs of breast cancer. Due to less or almost no discussions, women are embarrassed to visit a doctor for examination for fear of being judged. Hence, early signs are often missed till it’s too late.

These cultural and societal barriers can only be crushed through carefully-conceived awareness campaigns on breast cancer. This would create an environment where women can open up on their physical appearance , seek help when required and get screened for breast cancer without fear or embarrassment.

Only when women’s health is prioritised and screenings are made routine, they can themselves take charge of their bodies and take proactive measures to fight breast cancer. The veil needs to be lifted since early detection is the key to better outcomes in breast cancer.

According to statistics released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), breast cancer accounts for around 14% of all cancer cases in the country, with over 1.5 lakh new cases diagnosed every year. We must keep in mind that for every case undiagnosed or diagnosed at an advanced stage, there are some degrees of dense fog of taboo surrounding the disease.

Daunting challenge

Also, for most women in rural India, finding access to healthcare is often an insurmountable task. Government hospitals are sometimes deficient in screening facilities and the high cost of cancer care is unaffordable for most patient families. Financial constraints very often have a devastating effect on final outcomes since families delay or avoid treatment for breast cancer.

Non-government organisations along with corporate entities can come together to help break the taboo and ease the burden on breast cancer patients by throwing light on affordable and accessible government healthcare programmes. Initiatives like offering low-cost screening and continuous awareness camps can go a long way in early detection and better treatment outcomes.

No longer a problem for the rich

Breast cancer, long considered a problem of affluent nations, has now dug in deep all across India and other developing countries. According to recent studies, breast cancer accounts for 19% to 34% of all cancer cases among Indian women. With this increasing rate it has surpassed cervical cancer as the most prevalent cancer among women in India.

Breast self-examination or BSE is the most feasible initial screening tool. Late-stage diagnosis still remains extremely common across the country, more so in rural areas, as very less women knows signs and symptoms of breast cancer. A study has revealed that over 85% of women in rural areas are unaware of BSE. The overall prevalence and statistics would change if they are made aware of the symptoms.

Apart from promoting BSE, rural women must be encouraged to go for regular screenings including clinical breast examinations and mammograms to boost early detection rates. NGOs like the Indian Cancer Society and the Breast Cancer Foundation of India are working extensively in this domain, to educate women, break the taboo around breast cancer and provide critical services. Indian women needs more such institutions, NGOs to come forward in this herculean task to combat this killer disease.