Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Pvt Ltd (FGILI), in association with Momspresso unveiled the findings of a national survey which aims at understanding the awareness around breast cancer among Indian women. Breast cancer is currently one of the most common cancers affecting women in India. In fact, one fourth of all female cancer cases recorded in India are breast cancer. In sight of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), FGILI, one of the fastest growing life insurance companies & Momspresso, India’s largest user –generated content platform for women, conducted a survey to encourage conversations among women and increase awareness on the underlying symptoms associated with breast cancer. It is essential that women know the most common symptoms associated with breast cancer, such as lumps and thickenings, and understand that prompt evaluation and early detection improves outcome. This survey was conducted with a sample size of 2225 respondents across 10 key metro cities.
High Awareness of breast cancer
The incidence of breast cancer in India is not rare. According to the ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Survey’, almost 86% Indian women are well aware of this fact. 60% women claim to know about the incidence of breast cancer in the country. In fact, 1 out of 2 women, felt that they were at risk for breast cancer. The survey was conducted amongst women across urban Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Bhopal and Chandigarh.
Lack of importance given to breast screening
As per the findings of the Breast Cancer Awareness survey, a major chunk of the respondents felt that they did not require screening while a significant number revealed that they were not aware about the existence of screening tests for breast cancer. Additionally, respondents also revealed that they were too lazy or felt that they were too young to undergo screening for the disease.
Lack of knowledge on breast cancer examination
More than half of the respondents were not aware of the age at which regular screening or examination for the disease should begin. The survey reveals that 2 out of 3 women were unaware of the simple self-examination that can help them detect the disease at an early stage. While 65% of the respondents had not heard about mammography as a screening test for breast cancer, a whopping 80% did not have the slightest idea about clinical breast examination.
Women uncomfortable about speaking about breast cancer
Uncovering an important factor that contributes the lack of awareness around breast cancer and its treatments, the survey found that around 60% of women are not comfortable speaking about the disease with their friends and family.
Extremely poor understanding of different types of cancer
The survey found that around 70% of the respondents were unaware of the different treatments for cancer. Chemotherapy, in fact, was the only type of treatment that most respondents could recall.
The study also found almost 12% of the respondents themselves were suffering or had suffered from breast cancer. Of these breast cancer fighters, a major chunk cited pain and discomfort in the breasts, change in shape and size of breasts and lumps as the top 3 most commonly experienced symptoms of the disease.
