The 16-minute film demonstrates the technique of breast
examination by self as well as through mammography.
What is interesting about the film is that it stresses the
need for early detection in a simple manner. Three doctors explain about the
simple procedure of self-examination of the breasts with the help of three
dimensional animation. The film also breaks myths that the process of
mammography is not painful.
The statistics for breast cancer in India are
worrying. About 90,000 women die in the country every year from breast cancer,
more than any other form of cancer.
Currently, one in 25 Indian women will develop breast cancer
in her lifetime. A study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that
by 2020, one in eight urban Indian women will develop breast cancer in her
lifetime.
Experts state that early detection is vital for the
treatment of breast cancer and add that it can be done easily.
"Indian women seek treatment very late, about 65
percent of them are in stage three or four when they are diagnosed. In most
cases, urban and educated women are unaware that they must conduct regular
breast self examination, ask their doctors to give them clinical exams and go
for normal mammograms," Vaneet Kapur, consultant radiologist said.
"One needs to self-examine their breasts at least once
in a month if one is of age 20 years and above. Those who have crossed 30 years
of age should go for clinical breast examination. And for those who are above
40 years, mammography once in a year is a must," C.S Pant, consultant
radiologist suggests.
Source: Medindia
