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Nothing to hide about breast cancer

Not surprisingly, a lot of women felt obliged to treat a lump in the breast as a 'private matter', and wishing that it would just go away. till it gets too late.

October is breast cancer awareness month. It's a time when public and media events are organised with a view to address everyone about the intricacies and the prevalence of the disease - whose incidence has, reportedly, increased by 20 per cent since 2009; and all that information is backed by a pre-emptive action plan one should take recourse to in order to keep breast cancer at bay - or beat it. One of the first things oncologists and cancer counsellors state, while talking about why breast cancer remains largely unreported in many sections of society, is the "shame" associated with the diagnosis. It's not just terrifying, there is something "shameful" about breast cancer; it has to do with the fact that it involves parts of the female anatomy that call for a sort of veiled secrecy; it's private matter, and it should not be even talked about in medical or clinical terms. Not surprisingly, a lot of women felt obliged to treat a lump in the breast as a 'private matter', and wishing that it would just go away. till it gets too late. There is hemming and hawing when it comes to instructing women about stuff like self-examinations and mammograms.
But, happily, we get the distinct feeling all that's changing. Over the last few years, breast cancer awareness campaigns overall - and in October specifically - have stopped mincing words when it comes to addressing the issue. The new wave of interactions have truly evolved and are talking about breast cancer awareness matter-of-factly, with no-holds-barred detailing about the self and medical examinations; they are also being conducted in an atmosphere where women are encouraged to share their concerns without feeling embarrassed.
At one of these awareness-raising platforms, someone eloquently talked about the in-flight safety video that tells you to "secure your own safety first", and only then help your kids and co-passengers. That's what a woman needs to do - secure her own safety - which is what these campaigns are advocating. Simultaneously, it's heartening to see men being involved in what was seen earlier as a "women's only" forum. October could well prove to women's emancipation month.