Inauguration of Free Breast Cancer Screening Programme by KIMS and UBF

Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation (UBF) & KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases will coordinate FREE Community based Breast cancer screening for women sweepers over the age of 40 working with GHMC in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The aim of this initiative is to detect breast cancer in the early stage - the only way to fight breast cancer, the most common form of cancer affecting women in Urban India.

Mr Somesh Kumar, GHMC Commissioner, Mr Kingshuk Nag, Editor, The Times of India, Mrs Jayasudha Kapoor, MLA for Secunderabad & Mr B. Krishnaiah, Chairman, KIMS Hospital participated at the inauguration of this Screening Programme held at KIMS Hospital today. They paid rich tributes to Dr Raghu Ram for initiating and implementing an innovative & cost effective Breast Cancer Screening Programme, which has already benefited thousands of underprivileged women in Andhra Pradesh. They felt this unique Breast Cancer Screening Programme being implemented in Andhra Pradesh, would become a role model for the entire Country in the fullness of time.

The sweepers working with GHMC work very hard at odd hours late at night to keep our roads clean by morning exposing themselves to the dust and air pollution, and indeed, many times risking their lives. In an effort to ensure that their Breast health is monitored, Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation has take a pledge to educate these women about importance of early detection of breast cancer and coordinate Breast Cancer Screening Programme. We will also ensure that women detected with breast cancer through this Screening initiative would be treated free of cost.

As part of the partnership established with Govt. of AP, UBF has already trained 900 Healthcare workers in Hyderabad District to perform Clinical Breast Examination (CBE), a screening tool which will help detect breast cancer in the early stages. Thus far, 28, 437 underprivileged women have been screened for signs of early breast cancer.

The same Screening programme will be extended to Sweepers working with GHMC starting from next week. Trained Heath Care Workers at Urban Health Centres in Secunderabad and Hyderabad would be involved in this initiative. Some 2500 sweepers work in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, of which 80% are women. 70% of women are over 40 years. All these women will be screened for breast cancer through this initiative.

Ass mark of reverence to one of the oldest English Newspapers in the Country, the Breast Cancer Screening Programme to cover the FIRST 175 underprivileged women (sweepers) working in Secunderabad would be dedicated to commemorate The Times of India's 175th year celebrations.

Established in Sept. 2007, Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation (UBF) has been working with a missionary zeal over the past SIX years at improving the delivery of Breast healthcare in Andhra Pradesh through a number of unique and innovative initiatives. The main aims of the Foundation are to empower people about the importance of early detection of breast cancer, and equally, conduct meaningful cost effective breast cancer screening within the Community.

Dr. P. Raghu Ram MS, FRCS (Edinbugh), FRCS (England), FRCS (Glasgow), FRCS (Ireland) CEO & Director, Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, Hyderabad