Date:18/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/18/stories/2008101861440300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Early detection is key to combating breast cancer

Staff Reporter

Breast cancer on the increase mainly in urban areas
Changed lifestyle, food habit cited as reason for illness

KOCHI: It is the stigma of having cancer that makes the disease in people, especially women, go undetected. Health is not taken seriously by women, who postpone a visit to the doctor for any ailment.

Earlier, it was uterine cancer that was common among women. However, breast cancer is being found in more women and has emerged as a killer disease. Earlier, the incidence was 25 cases in 100,000 urban population. It has now gone up to 65 in 100,000 in urban areas and 30 in 100,000 among the rural population. However, early detection of cancer provides a better quality life to the patient, who otherwise has to undergo the trauma of having full-grown cancer.

This was the message conveyed on World Breast Cancer Day on Friday at a function organised by the Kerala Cancer Care Society and the Rotary Club of Cochin Global. Speaking on the topic, Thomas Varghese, head of the Surgical Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, Lakeshore Hospital and Research Centre and president of the Cancer Care Society, said women above 40 years need to have regular medial check-ups.

Dr. Varghese said that the change in lifestyle and food habits could be the cause behind the increasing cases of cancer.

District Collector M. Beena, inaugurated the function. Pamela Anna Mathew, the organising chairperson and vice-president of the Kerala Cancer Care Society, delivered the opening note. Architect L. Gopakumar, president of the Rotary Club, proposed a vote of thanks.