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Free Breast Cancer screening project (SMART Pink) launched in Tezpur

Tezpur, Dec 22 : Breast cancer has become India’s leading common form of cancer in women, followed by cervical cancer. According to a study by Globocon 2020, In India, every four minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. It is more alarming to learn that such form of cancer is being increasingly diagnosed at a younger age in India.

With an aim to fight strong against the cases of cancer in women, Rotary Club of Tezpur in association with Assam Cancer Care Foundation has launched ‘Smart Pink’ (Sahasra Mahila ACCF & Rotary Club of Tezpur) Free Mammography Screening & Awareness Project on December 21 in Tezpur. Eminent doctors, social workers, members of various business, political establishments took active participation in the launching program.

Dr Sajal Sen, COO, Assam Cancer Care Foundation

Dr Sajal Sen, COO, Assam Cancer Care Foundation and Smt Karabi Saikia, CEO, Sonitpur Zila Parishad graced the launch event as Chief Guests. Dr. Subrata Chanda, Lead Project, Assam Cancer Care Foundation; Devajit Kalita, HR, Tezpur Cancer Centre; Dr. Sanjeev Hazarika, Superintendent, Tezpur Cancer Centre, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist, ACCF made their presence in the event.

Dr. Venkata Pradeep Babu Koyyala, Sr Consultant Medical Oncologist, ACCF, Tezpur Cancer Centre

Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist, ACCF, Tezpur Cancer Centre, Dr. Venkata Pradeep Babu Koyyala who is also the Project Chairman, while addressing the gathering said that 60% of cancer patients in Assam get diagnosed in the 4th stage, in comparison to the rest of India. It was shocking to know that in Tezpur alone 162 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 6 months, where maximum of the cases were found to be diagnosed in stage 4. Such delay of getting diagnosed is caused by several factors, such as no awareness about formation of lumps in breasts, fear of getting screened etc. Years ago, it was a general belief that women above 60 years of age are prone to breast cancer, but Dr. Venkata made us aware about a handful number of breast cancer patients, aged below 40 years.

Dr. Sanjeev Hazarika, Superintendent, Tezpur Cancer Centre

Hence, to circulate the message of getting screened very early and removing the myths related to screening and diagnosis of cancer in women, the Rotary Club of Tezpur in association with ACCF came up with the ‘Smart Pink‘ project.

Dr. Subrata Chanda, Lead Project, Assam Cancer Care Foundation

Under the project, any women above 40 years of age can avail free screening facility at the respective cancer centres.

Smt Karabi Saikia, CEO Sonitpur Zila Parishad

Smt Karabi Saikia, CEO of Sonitpur Zila Parishad assured her help in all possible means. She proposed to start awareness programs in panchayat level and get the women from rural areas screened in the Sonitpur Zila Parishad office itself.

Rotary District 3240 Governor, Nilesh Agarwal extending his wishes stated to implement the project at a larger level and reach a target of screening 1 million women in Assam.

Any women above 40 years can call at- 96780 81448, 9957181036 and 9730183388 to inform their willingness to undergo free mammogram (screening). They will then be guided by providing date and time to reach Tezpur Cancer centre, where they will be guided further by ‘Smart Pink’ coordinators to undergo mammogram. All reports shall be confidentially and issued to patient later.

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