Apni Sehat Apne Haath: Breast Cancer Screening for Mumbai's Marginalised Women

There’s no escaping the fine print. Breast Cancer has become the most common form of cancer in India, more than cervical cancer. In cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad, breast cancer accounts for 25% to 32% of all female cancers, more than 1/4th of all female cancers. Indian women, women in their early thirties till fifties are at considerable risk to develop breast cancer, and the incidence risk increases to its peak by the time they reach 50-64 years of age. One in twenty-eight Indian women is likely to develop breast cancer during her lifetime. It is more (1 in 22) for urban women than for the rural group (1 in 60). The numbers are staggering and constantly rising.

The survival rates of breast cancer in India are low because the detection takes place late. Breast cancer is a treatable disease and chances of survival are higher if it’s detected in time. It is well-established that early diagnosis is very critical in saving a life of a cancer patient. PUKAR wishes to launch a detection drive to address this issue of late detection.

The best way to prevent morbidity and mortality of Breast Cancer is through Knowledge and Early Detection. While manual breast exam is easy and cost-free, lack of knowledge, space and privacy in their homes prevents them from self-examination. The iBreast Exam works as a Screening software using AI over enables a low cost, easy to use, portable solution that is highly sensitive. Dr Anita, USA trained physician, will conduct a pilot study of 1000 slum women from Madala and Kaula Bandar.

iBreast exam device in action

Actions Needed:

1. Recruiting Team of 12 girls, Barefoot Sehat Sevaks from the respective communities who have gained the trust of their community women. Training them in all aspects of breast cancer and screening technique.
2.  Survey 1000 slum women in the age group of 35-50 and analyse the data
3. Focus Group Discussions and door to door education by the Sehat Sewaks make women knowledgeable about Breast cancer and the importance of screening.
4. Conducting Breast Screening in their respective communities maintains the complete privacy and dignity of the women.
5. Follow up of the women whose screening looks suspicious at Shatabdi Hospital for Mandala Basti and Sion Hospital for KB with ultrasound and mammogram if need be.

The most critical impact will be that 1000 marginalized women will be knowledgeable about breast cancer and the importance of self-examination as well as early screening.

A speciality-trained physician, Dr Anita will be training 12 young women who will learn anatomy, physiology, aetiology, signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and the importance of routine screening for women in the age group of 35-60. They will also learn and spread knowledge to all women about the Tata Cancer Research Center with a special wing for Breast Cancer where women with suspicious findings can go for further checkups. Early screening always leads to early diagnosis and treatment thus reducing morbidity and mortality in women. Early treatment also allows women to lead a fairly normal life and the longevity of breast cancer survivors is anywhere from 5 years to 15 years. It is important to know that 50% of breast cancer survivors die due to causes other than breast cancer. (Dr. Badwe, Head of Breast Cancer and Tata Cancer Research Hospital, Mumbai).