Breast cancer survivors meet at Delhi hospital

New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) A group of 30 breast cancer survivors Saturday counseled and shared their experiences with women who were battling the disease at a hospital here.

The survivors sopke about their journeys and methods like meditation, yoga and spirituality that may provide some help to patients at the "Breast Cancer Support Group Meet". Meet was organised by the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.

"We are taking regular steps to ensure that we spread awareness on breast cancer. This meet is an effort to help women connect with each other to share experiences and spread the strength," said Ramesh Sarin, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology.

"Such frequent meets will be organised in future too, to create a platform to discuss problems and share doubts, experiences, create positivity and build bonds of friendship," he added.

Sarin said there was a "sharp rise" in the number of cases of breast cancer in women aged between 25 and 45 years and therefore it was no more a "disease of the elderly."

Stressing on early detection, Sarin said: "Breast cancer is a preventable when diagnosed and treated in early stages. Women should begin self-examination at 20, go for clinical examination after 30 and opt for mammography after 40 years."