My sincere gratitude to Assam talks, UA and Prag news for understanding the importance of the cause and interviewing me after the event where I emphasized to come out of stigma and taboo and discuss openly about Breast health before it is too late. In addition, I focused on the importance of early detection and explained the screening processes.
I am extremely thankful to the print media – The Sentinel Today, 19th July, 2018 and Assam Tribune, Dainik Assam, July 20th 2018 for highlighting the topic I emphasized the most “Stigma and taboo attached to Breast Cancer should be removed” and publishing in the respective newspapers.
Digboi Outreach
I left Sivasagar, early morning by road, headed to Digboi and met Mrs. Mridula Sutradhar who is collaborating with BCH, being a teacher at Balika Vidya Mandir, Govt. High School, Digboi, Mrs. Mridula would like to create awareness among her colleagues and acquaintances. It was great meeting Mrs. Pranati Roy, even at the age of 78, Mrs. Roy was immensely interested and learned about Breast self Exam and also mentioned that she would pass the information to her daughters-in-law & others (hats off to the positivity)!
Tinsukia outreach
I am so thankful to Dr. C.S. Das (my father) for connecting me to Dr. Kirti Dey because of whom I got connected to Indian Medial Association (IMA) Tinsukia and Aditya Diagnostics. I headed to Tinsukia from Digboi on the same day for two events organized by Indian Medical Association (IMA), Tinsukia and Aditya Diagnostics and Hospitals. During the afternoon event, several women organizations were invited. During the event at night, it was an outreach for mostly all members of Rotary club members and IMA doctors. Sincerely thankful to Dr. Kirti Dey, Founder, Dey’s nursing home, Past District Governor, Rotary District 3240; Dr. M.S Konwar, President IMA Tinsukia, Senior Pediatrician; Dr. Prasant Agarwal, State Joint Secretary, IMA, working at Aditya Diagnostics & Hospitals; Dr Prerna Keshan, Obstetrician, infertility specialist, Aditya Diagnostics & Hospitals for organizing both the events.
Collaboration
Extremely grateful to Dr. Kriti Dey for coming forward to collaborate so the information can be passed on to his hospital outreach. I am also so happy and thankful to Dr. Pravakar Hazarika, Medical Officer, Pinewood Hospital, Tinsukia and to Dr. Rasmita Upadhyaya, MD Medicine, Consultant Physician in Tinsukia Apollo Clinic for their collaboration to distribute Breast self exam cards in local languages and organize occasional awareness camps in rural areas. In addition, Dr. M.S Konwar, President IMA, Tinsukia has also come forward to collaborate. Sincerely grateful to Ms. Moumita Saha, Teacher by profession, coming forward to collaborate and taking the cause forward!
My heartfelt thanks to Dr. Rishi Das, Retired Vice Principal, for all his support and help during the Tinsukia and Digboi outreach. Extremely grateful to Mrs. Subinita Dey, Past. Dist. Chairman, Inner Wheel Rotarian and Dr. Kirti Dey for the wonderful lunch with them on 18th July. My greatest thanks to Mr. Rajarshi Das and Mrs. Moumita Saha for the accommodation at night and for all their love and affection!
Overview: The Press and Media coverage in Tinsukia has helped me to reach out to the entire community (Thanks to the organizers for inviting Press). Many groups (IMA, Rotary), physicians, teachers have come forward to collaborate. The outreach was highly impactful!
By Dr. Lopamudra Das Roy
Founder & President, Breast Cancer Hub
