Aster MIMS has lined up a slew of activities including freebreast cancer screening camps and other awareness programmes for the month of October as part of its Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign. The Pink October campaignto increase awareness about this serious diseaseamongst women was launched todayat the Aster MIMS Oncology Centre by Dr NarayanankuttyWarrier, Senior Consultant and HOD, Medical Oncology.
To begin with a free breast cancer screening programme will be held through the month from October 10 to October 31, which will offer free consultation and clinical examination. If referred by the specialists for a mammogram test, the same would be available at a discounted rate. For more information, women are requested to contact 0495-3091903.
For patients too, Aster MIMS is organising a unique camp, Art Therapy, on the 20th and 21st of October for cancer survivors and fighters, who have undergone or are undergoing cancer treatment at the hospital.
In an innovative endeavour, a ‘Touchscreen Campaign’ will allow women to learn how to detect early signs of breast cancer by self-examination through a microsite www.astermims.com/touchscreen. The Touchscreen microsite will guide women on the signs and steps of breast self examination for breast cancer.As part of a community outreach program, Aster MIMS will also visit interested colleges and organisations to conduct Breast Cancer Awareness sessions in their premises. The Pink October campaign inauguration was attended by Dr P M Hamza, Chief of Medical Services; Dr Rahul Menon, Chief Executive Officer; Dr Salim VP, Oncology Surgeon; Dr Ramakrishnan, Head of Department, Radiology; Dr Shamsudheen, Consultant, Radiation Oncology; Dr Roshnara Ashraf, Consultant, Oncology; Ms Sheelamma Joseph, Chief Nursing Officer; and Mr Ajesh Kumar, Senior Manager, Business Development.
Dr. Rahul Menon, CEO, Aster MIMS said, ‘Breast cancer is the commonest cancer of urban Indian women and the second commonest in rural women.Owing to the lack of awareness of this disease and in absence of a breast cancer screening program, the majority of breast cancers are diagnosed at a relatively advanced stage. If diagnosed early, the chances of recovery are better with good prognosis. The Pink October campaign in this Breast Cancer Awareness month is our effort to increase awareness about Breast Cancer and help women to fight this dreaded disease.’
