Delhi women run to spread breast cancer awareness

Around 2,500 women from all age groups Sunday took part in a 10-km run in the national capital to spread awareness about breast cancer.

Women from corporates, colleges, social clubs as well as doctors and nurses participated in the Pinkathon, a multi-category running event for women held annually to spread awareness of women's fitness and about breast cancer.

"I'm happy to see so many women coming to lend their support. Awareness is the key and events such as these go a long way in creating awareness. Early diagnosis helps in the fight against breast cancer," said model-actor Milind Soman, himself a fitness enthusiast and a marathon runner and founder of Pinkathon.

The run was organised by Maximus Events, an event management company run by Soman, and HealthCare Global Enterprises (HCG) Ltd., a specialist in cancer care.

"The aim of this event is to educate women of the fact that they can make lifestyle changes today and reduce the risk of developing breast cancer," said Dinesh Madhavan, HCG Ltd. director.

Participating in the run, Harinder Sraw, a breast cancer survivor, said: "Once you know the cause of the disease, you will make necessary lifestyle changes."

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It could be detected early because I was aware of the symptoms and met the specialist at the right time."

It is estimated that one in 22 Indian women has the lifetime probability of developing breast cancer. India accounts for six percent breast cancer deaths in the world.