Visually challenged women to conduct breast cancer screenings

Gurugram, February 24

With the aim of early breast cancer detection and creating employment opportunities for the visually impaired, six specially trained visually impaired women will conduct manual breast examinations to identify any abnormalities.

These women will perform screenings at three health centres in the city, under the joint aegis of the Gurugram Health Department and Medanta Hospital, as part of Project ‘Savera’, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday.

Service free of cost

• Six visually impaired women will conduct screenings at three health centres in Gurugram, under the joint aegis of the Gurugram Health Department and Medanta Hospital, as part of Project ‘Savera’, which will be inaugurated by CM Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday
• At the Civil Hospital, Sector 10, polyclinic, Sector 31, and Wazirabad Health Centre, these visually impaired women would also identify small lumps and provide reports
• Women above 30 years of age can avail this service for free starting from March 1, during the OPD timings at these health centres

A senior health department official said at the Civil Hospital, Sector 10, polyclinic, Sector 31, and Wazirabad Health Centre, these visually impaired women would also identify small lumps, as small as 0.5 cm, and provide reports. Women can avail this service for free starting from March 1, during the outpatient department (OPD) timings at these health centres.

Civil Surgeon and Gurugram CMO Dr Virender Yadav said these six visually impaired women would assist in the detection of breast cancer through manual examinations.

Early detection is crucial for timely treatment of of breast cancer. The introduction of this service aims to facilitate early detection. The women will prepare reports using computers. If a lump is identified in the breast, further tests such as mammography will be conducted, and treatment will commence upon confirmation.

The CMO said a one-year MoU has been established with Medanta for the Savera project. Each woman can examine seven to eight patients per day, with each examination taking approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Free screenings will be provided for women above 30 years of age in the district.