Kochi: Manju Warrier Foundation partners with Aster Hospital’s Sakhi Initiative in order to battle breast cancer and spread awareness on the same. Initiated on International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October, Aster Medcity is offering free mammograms to women from underprivileged backgrounds.
The initiative has various programmes shedding light on the importance of awareness of breast cancer and early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, encouraging regular self-examination etc. To expand the initiative, Aster Hospitals also conducts breast awareness trainings and screenings in various colleges and corporates and enables 2500 plus women to spread the relevance. By enrolling in Breast Self Examination (BSE) training and opting for mammogram check, one can officially be part of the Sakhi Army. Aster Medcity offers a free mammogram checkup to an underprivileged woman for every ten women ( Sakhi) who attend the training. One can continue to do check-ups once a year and invite others also to be a part of the army.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Kerala. In spite of this, most women still avoid conducting self-examinations for breast cancer. According to a recent report, one in two women has not performed a self-exam despite knowing the signs of breast cancer.
