Free breast cancer screening begins in Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital

As part of observing Pink October, Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital on Monday commenced free breast cancer screening for women. The screening would go on till October 31 in the outpatient ward on the second floor of the hospital building.

Hospital Dean R. Amutharani inaugurated the screening.

Head of the Department of Surgery, Dr. M. Lakshminarayanan, said that every woman aged 40 years and above must undergo the screening once a year.

“Breast cancer is the second most common cancer found in women across the world. Early detection can assure the patient 100% cure,” he said.

Many women ignore lumps found in their breasts due to ignorance. Some do not go for screening due to fear or hesitation.

Women coming to the camp need not produce any identity card or health insurance card for getting screened, Dr. Lakshminarayanan said.

He added that hormonal and genetic factors cause breast cancer.

“Among women, spinsters and childless women aged 40 years and above should mandatorily undertake the annual screening as they pose more risk of getting breast cancer,” he added.

Stating that increased secretion of oestrogen was a major factor for breast cancer, he said that prolonged breastfeeding by mothers reduces the risk of breast cancer.

Similarly, younger women who have lumps, even if they are painless, in their breasts should not ignore them but undertake the screening, Dr. Lakshminarayanan said.

The major advantage of the screening programme is that women surgeons would screen the patients. Ultrasound scanning and mammograms would be taken up at the same spot at the camp, which would be held between 7.30 a.m. and 12 noon.

Medical Superintendent Dr. Aravind Babu, Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr. Arun and Resident Medical Officer Dr. Vaishnavi were among those who were present.