Despite High Awareness 85% Indian Women in Chandigarh Shy Away from Breast Cancer Screening: Future Generali Life Insurance & Momspresso’s Breast Cancer Survey

By Samachar Vishesh News

Chandigarh 22nd October:- Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Pvt Ltd (FGILI), India’s fastest growing life insurance company in association with Momspresso unveiled the findings of a national survey which aims at understanding the awareness around breast cancer among Indian women. Breast cancer is currently one of the most common cancers affecting women in India. In fact, one fourth of all female cancer cases recorded in India are breast cancer. In sight of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), Future Generali India Life Insurance &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 survey was conducted with a sample size of 208 respondents across Bhopal.

The incidence of breast cancer in India is not rare. According to the ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Survey’, almost 72% Indian women are well aware of this fact. 53% women claim to know about the incidence of breast cancer in the country. In fact, 1 out of 2 women, felt that they were at risk for breast cancer. The survey wasalso  conductednationally amongst 2225 women across urban Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Bhopal and Chandigarh.

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. 71% of the respondents know that they need to get regular check-ups for breast cancer. Whereas, only 21% women have gone through screening for the ailment

Almost 79% of the respondents did not undergo screening for breast cancer due to ignorance or inertia

Commenting on the survey, RakeshWadhwa, Chief Marketing Officer of Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Ltd 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. While this research points out high awareness of breast cancer, it is the lack of action or the inertia that results into detecting breast cancer in its early stages. As an insurer, we believe we have an important role to play in addressing the topic of awareness of breast cancer and its financial implications. This will help women be better financially prepared in case of an uncertainty. He added that an important factor that contributes to the lack of awareness around breast cancer and its treatments is that 60% of women are not comfortable speaking about the illness with their friends and family. It therefore becomes imperative to increase and encourage open conversations on and about breast cancer.

Speaking on the findings, Vishal Gupta, Co-founder & CEO of Momspresso said that our objective to conduct the first-of-its kind survey was to empowering women with knowledge and fostering a conversation in women 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 and treatment. We are glad we carried out this survey in tandem with Future Generali, as we share the same objective of creating awareness in women towards a healthier and happier life. Momspresso, through its repository of over 8000 mommy bloggers who write on varied topics, will disseminate more information about breast cancer and its implications. Raising awareness among Indian moms will definitely be our next natural progression in order to significantly lower the number of lives that this disease claims per year.While all these findings point towards a stark gap in the knowledge pertaining to breast cancer, they also present a unique opportunity for brands and platforms to raise awareness and arm women with the knowledge required to prepare for and eventually beat this rampant disease.