Srinagar, June 15 (IANS) J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated a free breast cancer screening service in Srinagar on Monday, stressing the importance of early detection and timely intervention of the disease to save lives.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the Free Breast Cancer Screening Seva programme here at Civil Secretariat, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at promoting early detection and awareness of breast cancer among women.

The initiative, launched by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in collaboration with India Turns Pink (ITP), seeks to provide free breast cancer screening services at the doorstep of women across selected villages in Srinagar district.

In his remarks on the occasion, the Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the AAI and the implementing organisation for undertaking a vital public health initiative focused on women’s well-being.

He underscored the importance of early detection and timely intervention in reducing the burden of breast cancer and saving lives.

The programme aims to cover ten villages in Srinagar district and benefit around 10,000 women through free screening, awareness generation and counselling services.

The initiative is expected to enhance awareness about breast cancer, encourage regular health check-ups and strengthen preventive healthcare among women.

Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo, and Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, were also present on the occasion. ITP founder President P.A. Anandakumar, representatives of the organisation, and several senior officials attended the event.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in India, with nearly 200,000 new cases diagnosed annually and over 98,000 deaths reported. It is estimated that 1 in 28 women in India will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, with the incidence rising rapidly in both urban and semi-urban areas.

Despite India ranking third globally in total cases, it leads globally in breast cancer mortality, largely due to late-stage diagnoses.

Urban women are at higher risk (1 in 22) compared to rural women (1 in 60), primarily due to sedentary lifestyles, dietary shifts, and delayed pregnancies.

Indian women are often diagnosed a decade earlier than their Western counterparts, with peaks frequently occurring between the ages of 35 and 50.

–IANS

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