One-fourth of all female cancer cases recorded in India are in the category of breast cancer and the survey conducted by Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Pvt Ltd (FGILI) in association with Momspresso unveiled the findings which aim at understanding the awareness around breast cancer among Indian women.

Commenting on the survey, Future Generali India, Chief Marketing Officer Rakesh Wadhwa said, 'October internationally is dedicated towards raising awareness towards breast cancer and hence we commissioned this survey to bring forth the current awareness levels amongst Indian women around breast cancer and its repercussions."

An important factor that contributes to the lack of awareness about breast cancer and its treatments is that 60 percent of women are not comfortable speaking about the illness with their friends and family. It therefore becomes an imperative to increase and encourage open conversations about the disease.

Speaking on the findings, Momspresso, Co-founder & CEO Vishal Gupta said, 'Our objective to conduct the first-of-its kind survey was empowering women with knowledge and fostering a conversation on breast cancer awareness and symptoms. Through the study we found out that the awareness around breast cancer treatments and costs is largely scattered. Women across the country have limited knowledge about what the disease entails in terms of screening, treatment and cost."

In sight of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), FGILI, the fastest growing life insurance companies & Momspresso, country's largest user generated content platform for women, 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 the outcome. This survey was conducted with a sample size of 2225 respondents across 10 key metro cities.

According to the 'Breast Cancer Awareness Survey', almost 86 per cent Indian women are well aware of this fact whereas 60 per cent women claim to know about the incidence of breast cancer in the country. Further, the findings claim that 80 per cent of the respondents know that they need to get regular check-ups for breast cancer whereas only 25 per cent women have gone through screening for the ailment. Almost 75 per cent of the respondents did not undergo screening for breast cancer due to ignorance or inertia.

While 65 per cent of the respondents had not heard about mammography as a screening test for breast cancer, a whopping 80 percent did not have the slightest idea about clinical breast examination, survey said. The survey was conducted amongst women across urban Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Bhopal, and Chandigarh.