“While 29 married women in a lakh have breast cancer, it is prevalent in as many as 35 or more unmarried women,” P. Guhan, Director, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Oncology and Research (SRIOR), said, during the launch of the Toll Free number (18002700703) for creating cancer awareness in India.

Said to be a first in the country, the Institute has launched this number, which would give ample information about breast cancer. When the number is dialled, an automated voice gives information in both Tamil and English.
“The automated voice would inform about the symptoms, effects and the treatments involved for breast cancer,” Dr. Guhan added.

“Food habits and urbanization are major reasons for increased breast cancer occurrences in all the areas and women living in cities are more prone to get the disease. Consumption of alcohol and lack of exercises may also lead to the disease,” he said.

He added that the Institute had further launched pink T-shirts that would be worn by volunteers while giving away pamphlets during the breast cancer awareness campaign in six districts around Coimbatore. “We also have an open interaction with affected people on October 31, which is considered as the pink month,” he informed.
Launching the Toll free number, D. Lakshmanaramaswamy, the Joint Managing Trustee of SNR and Sons Trust, said that early detection could reduce fatalities in breast cancer cases.
“Millions have survived the disease despite it being the second most fatal disease among women,” he added.