By IANS
New Delhi : Hundreds of people from all age groups Sunday braved the chilly weather to participate in a walkathon organised to spread awareness about breast cancer, the fourth largest killer disease in India.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur flagged off “Walk for Life” organised by a voluntary organisation, CanSupport.
Gursharan Kaur stressed the need for “shattering myths” about the silent killer and its early detection.
“This walkathon is to create awareness among the women of India regarding breast cancer. The sooner one comes to know of the disease the easier it is to treat it,” said Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Meira Kumar, who also participated in the five-kilometre walkathon.
US Ambassador to India David Mulford joined in along with his wife Jeannie Mulford, a breast cancer survivor.
Due to the lack of awareness, most breast cancer patients are diagnosed at a stage when it has become incurable.
“Nearly one in every 22 women is a cancer patient and most terminal cases are of breast cancer,” said Anjali, one of the organisers.
Anjali called on the Indian women to reject any taboo of speaking about breast cancer and have “an open and frank discussion of breast exams, treatment and life after cancer”.
India accounts for six percent breast cancer deaths in the world.