Port Blair, Oct. 10: The Socio-cultural organization, Chetana organised a breast cancer awareness programme at Dairy farm on 9th last.  The Chief Patron of Chetana and Andaman and Nicoabar State Cooperative Union President, Kuldeep Rai Sharma inaugurated the programme.

Inaugurating the programme, Kuldeep Rai Sharma lauded the initiatives taken by Chetana to educate the women about Breast cancer, especially the preventive measures.  He told similar awareness programmes involving cancer specialists were already organised in different parts of the islands for the benefits of rural women. He also complimented Dr Rithika for her dedication and involvement in the cancer awareness campaign in the islands.

Speaking on the occasion, the Assistant Director of Press Information Bureau, A Dhanasekaran stressed the need for organizing more such camps for the prevention of cancer. He revealed that in the recently held early cancer detection camps at Rangat, Diglipur and Port Blair, a number of cancer patients were detected, most of them with oral cancer caused by chewing of tobacco products.  He said the Islands Lt Governor took immediate action in the matter and banned all gutka related products in the islands to protect the people from Cancer.

Dr Rithika, Cancer Specialist conducted an exclusive session for the women on breast cancer. She emphasized that early detection is the only way to fully cure the cancer, that too with the short course of treatment. She also taught them self breast examination techniques to detect the symptoms of cancer even at very early stage. 

Earlier, Neeraj Paliya, Chetana Member welcomed the gathering. He briefed on the social activities of Chetana, particularly the steps taken for prevention of cancer.  The General Secretary of Chetana, Ghanshyshyam Singh proposed vote of thanks.

A large number of women from different areas actively participated in the programme.