Survey Reveals 75% of Women in Chennai Avoid Breast Cancer Screening
A recent study highlights that a significant majority of women in Chennai have never undergone breast cancer screening, primarily due to a lack of symptoms.
75% of surveyed women in Chennai have never been screened for breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in Tamil Nadu, with a rising incidence rate.
Awareness and access to screening services need improvement to enhance early detection.
A recent survey conducted in Chennai reveals that nearly 75% of women have never undergone breast cancer screening. This study, carried out by a team from IIT Madras in collaboration with AIIMS-Delhi, aimed to understand the barriers preventing women from seeking screening. The findings were shared as part of the awareness campaign for 'Pink October', which is recognized globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The survey included 102 women with a median age of 38, where 75 reported they had never been screened, while only 27 had undergone screening at least once. Among the unscreened women, 45 cited the absence of symptoms as their primary reason for not participating in screening programs. The study also highlighted a concerning lack of awareness regarding breast cancer symptoms; while 72.5% recognized a lump or thickening, only 45.1% were aware of skin changes, and 37.3% identified peeling or scaling of the nipple.
Breast cancer has emerged as the most common cancer among women in Tamil Nadu, accounting for approximately 30% of new cases in 2023. The state cancer registry reported a crude incidence rate of 35.6 per lakh women, significantly higher than that of cervical cancer. The total number of new cancer cases among women in the state reached 49,225, marking a nearly 15% increase from 2019. Medical professionals emphasize that early detection through screening can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Dr. Bagyam Raghavan, a senior consultant radiologist involved in the survey, noted that screening should be available to all women, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms. She emphasized that women often prefer female healthcare providers and highlighted the need for affordable services that ensure privacy and comfort. The survey results indicate a clear demand for better access to screening facilities, particularly those staffed by women.
The researchers also found that women with a family history of breast cancer and older women were more likely to have been screened. However, they cautioned that these findings are associative and not causal. The authors of the study called for a larger sample size to better represent the female population in Chennai. They concluded that increasing awareness, improving access to screening, and implementing supportive policies are essential steps toward early cancer detection and better health outcomes.
