The unpleasant truth

In sight of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), Future Generali India Life Insurance and Momspresso 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.

The incidence of breast cancer in India is not rare. According to the ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Survey’, almost 85% Indian women are well aware of this fact. 63% women claim to know about the incidence of breast cancer in the country. In fact, two out of three women, felt that they were at risk for breast cancer. The survey was conducted with a sample size of 217 respondents across Hyderabad. Nationally amongst 2225 women that were surveyed across urban Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, 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.

79% of the respondents know that they need to get regular check-ups for breast cancer. Whereas, only 30% women have gone through screening for the ailment

Almost 70% of the respondents did not undergo screening for breast cancer due to ignorance or inertia

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 62% of the respondents had not heard about mammography as a screening test for breast cancer, a whopping 77% did not have the slightest idea about clinical breast examination.

Being uncomfortable about speaking
Uncovering an important factor that contributes the lack of awareness around breast cancer and its treatments, the survey found that around 52% of women are not comfortable speaking about the disease with their friends and family.

Poor understanding
The survey found that around 65% 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 9% of the respondents themselves were suffering or had suffered from breast cancer. Of these breast cancer fighters, a major chunk cited a new lump in the breast / armpit, pain and discomfort in the breast not related to period and swelling under the armpit / near the collar bone.

Need of financial preparedness
While treatment costs can range between INR 2.5 lakhs to 20 lakhs, around 53% of the respondents perceived the cost to be less than INR 2 lakhs. Since the awareness about treatments costs was so low, it comes as no surprise that around 70% respondents had no information about breast cancer specific insurance plans.