- Prayagraj health officials are conducting a breast cancer awareness campaign for women
- The campaign emphasizes how early detection will save lives
The health authorities of the Prayagraj District commenced a significant public consciousness campaign on Tuesday about breast cancer, highlighting that if one wants to save lives, you have to diagnose breast cancer early.
Dr. Vivek Pandey, Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at MLN Medical College & SRN Hospital, said that in current times, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide.
As of 2020, the WHO estimated approximately 2.3 million new cases worldwide, growing at roughly 3 to 4 percent each year.
In developing countries, deaths are decreasing because of early diagnosis and better treatment; however, the primary problems in developing countries are less detection and poor screening. Regarding breast cancer in India, Dr. Vivek stated that breast cancer has been gradually increasing over the past 5 years.
According to the ICMR - National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) 2024, he has stated, there will be 2.05 lakh new and 1.04 lakh deaths in 2024 due to breast cancer vs. 1.90 and 1.02 lakh in 2022. Going back, we see the last few years were 1.62 lakh new in 2018, 1.70 in 2019, and 1.87 in 2020.
He also highlighted that there are still no cancer screening facilities in Uttar Pradesh. NFHS-5 (2019–21) indicates only 0.4 percent of women between 30-49 years of age has ever been screened for breast cancer. The overall cancer burden in the state is increasing with over 2.1 lakh new cases projected for 2025.
In Prayagraj, a free cancer screening camp was recently organized as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October 2025) for the screening of which 325 women were screened. Several breast lumps at the early stage were discovered during the camp.
Dr. Vivek suggested that women should perform a breast self-exam each month, and get a mammogram every two years after age 40.
He pointed out that choices in their way of life might decrease risk, including healthy eating, exercise, no tobacco or alcohol use, and promoting breastfeeding. Vivek suggested that women come to a doctor for breast changes, which could be any change, lumps, discharge from the nipple, skin changes, etc.
Public Health officials pointed out that October is also known around the world as "Pink October", or Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month for outreach, education, and to assist and support people that has been impacted by breast cancer.
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