BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTHLET’ S COME TOGETHER

Dear Esteemed IASO Members,

Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been celebrated in October for the last four decades. It is called "Pink October" as people around the world adopt the pink colour and display a pink ribbon to raise awareness about the importance of prevention and routine screening for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, Its now the 2nd Most commonly diagnosed cancer globally.

Therefore, Indian Association of Surgical Oncology (IASO) is reaching out to all cancer surgeons and oncologists with an important request to increase awareness regarding breast cancer in your locality and community. Early detection through awareness is key to reducing the mortality associated with this disease. As surgical oncologists, we are in a unique position to contribute significantly to raising awareness and encouraging early detection. While advancements in treatment and surgery have improved survival rates, early detection remains critical for improving outcomes. Unfortunately, awareness of breast cancer, especially in rural and underserved populations, remains inadequate. This is where we can make a substantial impact as advancements in treatment, oncosurgeons as trusted voices, not only do we treat this disease, but we also serve as trusted voices in the healthcare community. Patients and the general public often look to us for advice and guidance on cancer-related issues, making us essential advocates for awareness campaigns.

What We Can Do…………………….

To promote breast cancer awareness effectively, we need to engage with both our patients and the wider community. Here are some suggested actions you can take during Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

Community Outreach Programs: Consider organizing or participating in local events, seminars, or health camps focused on breast cancer awareness. These can be excellent platforms to educate the public about the importance of regular screenings, breast self-examinations, and recognizing the early signs of breast cancer.

Collaborating with Media: Leverage local media, including newspapers, radio stations, and television channels, to spread awareness. Share factual, easy-to-understand information about breast cancer risks, preventive measures, and the benefits of early detection.

Social Media Engagement: Utilize social media platforms to disseminate accurate information on breast cancer. Sharing educational posts, infographics, and videos can help reach a broader audience and potentially save lives. The IASO can provide material that you can personalize and share through your professional networks to promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Hospital- Based Initiatives: Organize awareness drives within your hospital or clinic. These may include free or subsidized breast cancer screening camps for women of highrisk groups or organizing awareness sessions for hospital staff to enhance their ability to counsel patients effectively.

A Patient Education: Ensure that every patient you meet during this period is informed about breast cancer, especially regarding early signs, symptoms, and the importance of routine mammograms. Providing educational pamphlets and engaging in one-on-one conversations can make a huge difference.

Advocating for Policy Support : Advocate for better government policies around cancer screening and awareness, particularly for underserved areas where healthcare infrastructure may be lacking. Policy advocacy can include efforts to secure funding for breast cancer screening programs or pushing for greater public health education.

Let Us Unite in This Effort: Breast cancer awareness is not just the responsibility of cancer organizations or patient advocacy groups. As surgeons, we are often the first to diagnose and treat breast cancer patients, and we know firsthand the difference early detection makes. We must use our positions and platforms to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Every conversation, screening drive, or awareness campaign we initiate brings us one step closer to saving more lives.

Let us work together to create a ripple effect that will help inform women and their families about the importance of breast health. Your efforts in promoting breast cancer awareness can lead to earlier diagnoses and, ultimately, better survival rates.

Please feel free to reach out to the IASO secretariat at iasosecretariat@gmail.com (cc: iasooffice@gmail.com) for any support you may need in your awareness activities. Together, we can make a significant impact in the fight against breast cancer. Thank you for your dedication and ongoing efforts.

Warm regards

Dr Sharad Desai, President of IASO

Dr Rudra P Acharya, Sectary of IASO

Dr Ashutosh Mishra Editorial & Web Secretary IASO

IASO Breast cancer awareness Campaign