Breast cancer awareness is a big concern in India and is the second most common cancer among women, and is rapidly rising. Most of the times this dreadful disease is detected in final stages, when it either claims the lives or a surgery is required for saving the patient. Another deterring factor is availability and spread of technology.

India is beginning to adopt the use of mammography technologies and has about 250 centres offering mammography. About 130 of these centres use proven GE Mammography systems. Thanks to the efforts of many companies, NGOs and individuals, the adoption of these technologies is beginning to rise.

Another rising trend is the use of Digital Mammography systems in India. The world's first digital mammography system - Senographe 2000D was launched by GE Healthcare in 1999. Digital Mammography offers quicker patient studies, eliminates the need for repeat studies or recalls as the images can be seen and studied instantly on the digital screen. Studies have shown that digital mammography detects cancer earlier and GE Senography Digital Mammography systems reduces X-ray exposure by 25 per cent. Digital Mammography is celebrating its tenth anniversary of digital mammography, a technology introduced by GE. Similar to digital photography, digital mammography replaces the film used in traditional mammography with digital files viewed and stored on computers. In developed countries, mass screening programmes using digital mammography have proved that this technology can help detect breast cancer, earlier and thus help reduce mortality.

“Our initiative shows that breast cancer is indiscriminate. It affects women, and also men, irrespective of their age, nationality and religion. In the western world, people do understand the need to do regular screening and talk about the disease to spread awareness. We aim to follow this best practice to enhance early detection and rising awareness in India. We want people to get involved and share their story. Today, they can do that by clicking the “share” icon on the wall and share their experience, knowledge and hope with others,” said Shireesh Sahai, general manager, Women’s Health & X-ray at GE Healthcare, South Asia.

“I hope to see it grow rapidly in size to become a definitive hub for empowering stories; how survivors have fought and overcome the disease, as well as profiling the doctors, and scientists who are working tirelessly – often behind the scenes,” added Sahai.