Apollo Hospitals has launched ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Programme’ in Chennai from October 17 - 31, 2003 with the prime objective of spreading the message that ‘early detection of breast cancer can lead to cure’.

Launching the programme, Sunitha Reddy, Director, Finance, Apollo Hospitals said specialists at Apollo would offer specialized screening and consultation at a fee of Rs.150, and women could avail the services at the clinic from 5-9 in the evenings during the programme period. Further, the hospital would offer 50 per cent discount for mammograms conducted at its Breast Clinic.

Apollo would conduct various awareness programmes and seminar on the subject during the period involving women associations and college students, besides campaign through posters displayed at various outlets, colleges, hospitals and corporate houses.

Women employees with corporate houses and other working women would be attracted to learn on the benefits of early detection, techniques of self check up and other important information related to breast cancer, said Sunitha Reddy.

According to Dr.Selvi Radhakrishnan, Breast Cancer Specialist at Apollo, more than half of the women detected with breast cancer are diagnosed only at an advanced stage, when nothing much could be done. This disease has become the second most common cancer of women in India. Breast cancer is more common among urban women, especially those from the higher socio-economic group, said the doctor.