BY PRADNYA GAONKAR

With the increasing incidence of breast cancer in the state, doctors advise women to check for breast cancer every year.

ACCORDING TO studies conducted at the national level, one in 22 women in the country suffer from breast cancer, which implies that a breast cancer patient is detected every six minutes. According to an Indian Council of Medical Research study, Goa tops the list of states where women are susceptible to breast cancer. As per a study conducted by the Goa Institute of Management, the rate of incidence of breast cancer is 35 per 1,00,000 population, which is more than four times the national average of eight per 1,00,000. These statistics were revealed by Health Secretary Rajiv Verma, alarming the 1000-odd people, mainly women, at the Dinanath Mangueshkar Hall at Kala Academy.

The Health Secretary was addressing the audience who had gathered in Panaji for the launch of mobile mammography units, the first of its kind in the country. As a step to initiate breast cancer awareness amongst women, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) Goa, in association with NGO Muskaan, launched the units with the aid of eminent film personality and Rajya Sabha member Shabana Azmi, who flagged off the two mobile clinics. The project was recommended by the Core Committee for Breast Cancer Study in Goa. The purpose of the programme is to initiate a cohort study for lifestyle diseases in Goa and, at the same time, conduct an awareness cum screening campaign with mobile vans with physical examination and mammography facilities.

ATTENDANCE

THE attendance was quiet impressive, leaving the impression that breast cancer has widespread awareness in the rural villages of Goa. However, it was unsure if the crowd had gathered to learn more about breast cancer or to catch a glimpse of Azmi. Some speculated that Rs.200 and a lunch pack were incentive enough for women to travel all the way from Valpoi for the event. Not surprisingly, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane stated that the mobile clinics would initially be taken to Sattari and Valpoi area for reference study.

The purpose of the programme is to provide mammography screening facilities free of cost for women above 40. The facility is provided on mobile vans, which can conduct screening camps in the interior parts of Goa. The two mobile clinics operating independently, one in each district of the state, will provide mammography screening facility and a simple biopsy facility using ultrasound and mammography. The biopsy samples will be tested using the pathology laboratory in the vehicle. Each van has multiple cabins, one for mammography, one for pathology and ultrasound, and one for mammography film processing. It is also equipped with a small changing room for patients to change for the mammography examination. The vehicle has also got shelves and cupboards to store medicines and other medical necessities.

For outdoor communication, a public address system is fitted on the board. An intercom system is also being fitted for communication between the various sections, including the driver’s cabin. Each mammography unit has got facilities for two patients’ tables. It has got a specialised compression device to facilitate maximum patient comfort with users. This system also produces images of optimal quality. The film processing is equipped with automatic film processor for film developing. This machine can develop up to 30 films in one hour. The van is also equipped with in-built features like a disc for storage images and CD writing facilities for writing the images on the CD and thermal printer. It is well equipped with furniture, glassware and an extinguisher for safety purposes.

AMENITIES

THE cabin is fitted with two air conditioners and 20 KVA Diesel Generator for supply of electric power for the clinic. The mammography unit is also equipped with a Semi Automatic Analyser for the pathology section, microscope and a refrigerator to store samples. Considering the sensitivity of the subject, lady doctors have been appointed - a medical officer and a junior radiologist. Since the women, especially in rural areas, are required to come voluntarily for breast cancer screening, the Directorate of Health Services has provided additional staff that includes two x-ray technicians, two staff nurses, two lab technicians, two bio-chemists, two attendants, two drivers and one helper for each unit.

In his welcome address, Health Secretary Rajiv Verma revealed that an increasing number of breast cancer cases have been recorded in Goa during the last few years. He attributed this to changing lifestyle, accompanied by changing eating habits and, a factor common in Goa, late marriages. Urban Indian women are more prone to breast cancer than those who live in villages. Junk food rich in carbohydrates and fats leading to obesity and lack of exercise are causing the increasing instances of breast cancer. Smaller families, delayed childbearing and reduced breast feeding are also causes.

For health experts, the reduced average age of the high risk group in India is becoming a major cause of concern. Reports conclude that the average age of the high risk group in India is between 43 and 47 years, unlike the West where women aged above 53 years are more prone to breast cancer. Cases of girls in their early 20s suffering from breast cancer weaken the general belief of breast cancer being associated with menopause. Doctors advise women to volunteer for yearly tests for early detection of breast cancer. There is also an ongoing debate on the exposure to x-rays involved in mammograms posing a larger threat that breast cancer itself. Doctors at the launch, however, explained that mammograms use a very low dose of radiation which reduces the risk of getting breast cancer.

Addressing the audience, Shabana Azmi pointed out the social stigma associated with most diseases in case of women. “A mother refuses to get herself screened for breast cancer for the very reason that she is afraid what society may think about her. Also, she is more worried that no one will marry a breast cancer patient’s daughter. These things should be wiped out from their minds during the mission to prevent breast cancer,” averred Azmi. She expressed unhappiness over the fact that a lot is spoken about the empowerment of women, but serious health concerns are ignored. It is finally women who have to volunteer to cut down social shackles to fight for the right of sound health. The need for self examination for prevention of breast cancer cases is the need of the hour, considering the time required to restore confidence in women.