Hospitals are seeing a rise in patients with advanced stages of breast cancer due to no diagnosis during the covid period (for nearly 2 years). 

MUMBAI, 27th NOVEMBER 2022 (GPN): As we all know that many essential health treatments and surgeries were delayed by about 1 to 2 years due to Covid pandemic restrictions and fear. Breast Cancer was not an exception to it.  Many women who sensed early signs of Breast Cancer (BC) like a small lump in the breast during covid, did not get it tested /diagnosed due to firstly non-availability of diagnosis facilities in hospitals and later when gradually facilities opened up the fear of contracting the coronavirus kept the patients away from visiting hospitals and seeking the tests and treatment. 

To create awareness about this dreaded disease like Breast Cancer, Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital at Powai today organised an early morning ‘Breast Cancer Awareness WALK’ wherein over thousand enthusiastic people participated and got themselves educated. As it was held after a gap of long two years of Covid restrictions, the WALK received a thundering response from the people. 

It’s a known fact that Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India. But, what is more, alarming is the mortality rate change in ratio in cases of ‘Life Time Risk’ among women from earlier One in 26 to NOW One in 22. The study as also revealed that it is catching more among young women.

After the walk, while addressing the participants Dr Namita Pandey – Breast Onco-Surgeon at Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital addressed and responded to participating women’s queries like – what signs to look for, when to seek the treatment, precautions to be taken and how advanced treatments can give a new lease of life.  While replying to the query about the latest developments in the cure of breast cancer Dr Namita Pandey further stated “Over last few years a lot of development has taken place as far curing of this disease is concerned. But I still insist that early detection is the key to getting over it. And for this – ‘Breast SELF Examination’ and ‘Regular Screening at the Clinic’ are two very important factors”. 

Commenting on the recent increase in the number of cases with advanced stage of BC Dr Namita Pandey said “ We at our hospital are seeing 4 to 6 advanced stage cases every month as against earlier (Pre-Covid) 1 to 2 cases a month. 

Thus, more the awareness, the lesser the cases of causalities! This ‘Walk’ program is one of our many initiatives to spread the word.

The early morning WALK event was graced by the presence of Dr Niranjan Hiranandani – Co-founder & MD of Hiranandani Group and Dr Sujit Chatterjee – CEO of Dr L H Hiradandani Hospital. They also briefly addressed the participants on health and well-being. 

The ‘Awareness Walk’ was concluded with a discussion on the topic followed by Music & Dance and healthy snacks. Visit: www.hiranandanihospital.org