To promote awareness about breast cancer which is becoming the common cancer among women in the country, an international conference was inaugurated on Saturday.

The conference also highlighted about the need for early diagnosis for its effective treatment.About 350 delegates comprising of doctors, nurses, hysiotherapists and cancer survivors from India and other countries in Asia and other continents are participating in the three-day event.Women & Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi who was the also the chief guest said, 'Breast cancer is a rising epidemic in India.One in every eight women develops breast cancer at some point in their lives.There is no education rendered on the matter of diet and exercise.

I urge the medical society to formulate awareness campaign regarding diet and I will be happy to provide my utmost support".She also shared the mental trauma that her family underwent when her mother suffered from breast cancer.The event is being organised by Department of Surgical Disciplines, AIIMS, National Cancer Institute-India and Safdarjung Hospital under the auspices of ASOMA (Asian Society of Mastology).About 1.5 lakh fresh cases of breast cancer are being reported every year in India and the number has risen to three times in the last 10-15 years.AIIMS Director Prof Randeep Guleria said, 'There are caregivers like nurses and physiotherapists who are involved in the entire process of treatment for a breast cancer patient.It is important to create a good pool of caregivers who can take care of patients effectively.' According to Western studies at least 89 out 100 breast carcinoma patients survive till five years but the picture is gloomier in India.

The reason behind this is gross lack of awareness among women and the cultural and societal practices where women do not communicate freely with their family members about such problems.On the occasion Head of Department of Surgery, AIIMS & Organising Chairman, ASOMA Con Prof Anurag Srivastava said, “Women can screen themselves at home for early signs of breast cancer.Mostly the early symptoms of breast cancer are lumps in the breast, changes in the shape and skin texture of the breast, inflammation or rashes over the breast or unusual discharge from the nipples”.During the event, the cancer survivors and their relatives also shared their experience and exhorted new patients to undergo and continue treatment in the early stages of cancer.