Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Week on Oct 13-18

Ludhiana, October 11, 2014: October is being observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month all over the world. Taking on the myths and creating awareness on the issue of dreadful disease like cancer, Fortis Hospital Ludhiana is observing ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Week’ from October 13 to 18.

During the week long activities, initiative is being taken to spread awareness on Breast cancer amongst all. Health talks are being organised by Oncology Department at various schools such as Sarabha Nagar Convent, Spring Dale, DCM and many others, to create awareness among students and teachers about early diagnosis of Breast cancer. On 13th October a CME titled ‘Breast conservation and reconstruction’ is being held to have a panel discussion on new horizons in management of breast cancer. Dr.Prabha Yadav, Professor and Head of Cancer Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai will be the guest of honour for the CME and will enlighten the audience from almost all parts of Punjab, about Breast Reconstruction Surgery. On 14th October an entertaining Competition is being held for patients, their relatives, Fortis staff and general public including students from various schools. 15th October is being celebrated as Pink Day and everyone will be dressing in pink to contribute in creating awareness on the issue. A poster making competition will be held on 16th October for patients, their relatives, Fortis staff and general public including students from various schools. On 17th October, an informative session about the myths regarding breast cancer, is being organised for Fortis staff and faculty. To conclude, on 18th October, ‘PINK WALK’ is being organised which is a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and people from all spectrums of life will be participating including Doctors, patients, school children and others to spread awareness on the same.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. J.S Sekhon - Director of Oncology; Fortis Hospital Ludhiana, said, “Breast Cancer is amongst the top 5 cancers in Punjab which still has a prevalent misconception that cancer is incurable. We are taking this initiative to spread awareness amongst the people that if detected in time, breast cancer can be treated, thanks to the latest technology which has benefitted the life of many survivors. Breast cancer topped all other forms of the disease due to unawareness and shyness in sharing the symptoms. Our major focus is to make sure that women get themselves checked regularly for early detection of breast cancer because diagnosis at an early stage helps 90-95 percent of patients become cured totally.”
Elaborating on the broad aspects of cancer and the treatment modalities, Dr. Harish Matta - Head of General Surgery; Fortis Hospital Ludhiana, said “At Fortis Hospital Ludhiana, our focus is on comprehensive care whereby the entire team of Medical Oncologists, Surgeons and Radiation Oncologists endeavour to provide the most customized and integrated care to each patient. It pains to see the ignorant attitude carried by the educated people over cancer’s symptoms and talk to the doctor only when the disease has reached stage 3 or 4. This point’s towards a gross lack of awareness and myths about the disease. He told that at Fortis we are running FBC – Fortis breast clinic which provides comprehensive care for women who have breast cancer and other high-risk breast conditions. The clinic also offers breast reconstruction service along with private counselling.”In FBC emphasis is laid on first screening and diagnosis. Full confidentiality is maintained while patient is being investigated and a comfortable and friendly environment is created for them. Any suspicious cases get the same day diagnosis. Dr.Matta further stressed on the importance of early diagnosis of breast cancer because in that case patient does not have to undergo a mutilating surgery of total removal of breast. The patient’s breast can be saved with the same results of cancer cure. On adding Dr.Nitin Sethi, Head Plastic Surgery told that an integral part of this Breast Clinic is the Breast Reconstruction which can be undertaken in the same sitting or later on.
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