The Department of Posts on Friday issued two commemorative postage stamps and a set of picture postcards dedicated to breast cancer awareness, marking International Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The initiative aims to use the extensive postal network to spread messages on breast cancer awareness, early detection and preventive healthcare.

The stamps were released by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava and Director General Postal Services Manisha Sinha. The initiative was conceptualised and undertaken by the Department of Posts, with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare providing technical inputs, reference materials and background information for developing the health-related content of the stamps and postcards.

Early Detection and Preventive Healthcare

Speaking at the event, Srivastava emphasised the foundational role of women’s health in building healthy families and, consequently, a healthy nation. She highlighted the importance of prioritising women’s health and preventive care, referring to the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan, conducted from September 17 to October 2 last year, which placed special focus on women’s health through screening and awareness initiatives.

India reported more than two lakh new breast cancer cases in 2024, with an estimated one in every 29 women at risk of developing the disease, the Union Health Secretary said. She underscored the critical role of early detection in improving treatment outcomes and noted that delayed diagnosis remains a concern despite growing awareness and the availability of screening facilities.

She urged women to prioritise preventive healthcare through regular screening and self-examination. She also encouraged the public to make greater use of available government healthcare services and digital health platforms to facilitate timely detection and treatment.

86.97 Crore Screenings for Three Cancers

Srivastava reiterated the Government’s commitment to addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country. She highlighted the Ministry’s efforts under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), which integrates screening for oral, breast and cervical cancers into primary healthcare services across more than 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

She also underscored the role of the NP-NCD portal and ABHA IDs under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission in ensuring accessible health records and continuity of care across healthcare facilities.

Under the NP-NCD, a total of 86.97 crore screenings have been conducted for oral, breast and cervical cancers across the country. This includes 49.02 crore screenings for oral cancer, 22.90 crore for breast cancer and 14.05 crore for cervical cancer.

Of those screened, 5.50 lakh individuals are currently undergoing treatment. These include 2.70 lakh oral cancer patients, 1.43 lakh breast cancer patients and 1.37 lakh cervical cancer patients.

Postal Network to Spread Awareness

Manisha Sinha highlighted the significance of the postal network in carrying important public messages to the last mile. She said commemorative stamps serve as enduring instruments of public awareness and reflect the country’s priorities.

She emphasised that the extensive reach of postal services would help take the message of breast cancer awareness to communities across the country, encouraging timely screening and fostering support for women affected by the disease.

Sinha also acknowledged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for providing technical inputs, reference materials and background information for the initiative, which helped develop the health-related content of the commemorative stamps and postcards.

Additional Director General Dr. Pushp Lata, in her address, highlighted that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India, accounting for more than 30% of all new cancer cases diagnosed among women.

Emphasising the importance of early detection, she noted that timely diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes and quality of life. She added that nearly one-third of breast cancer cases are preventable and another one-third can be cured if detected early.

About Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 Observed annually from October 1 to 31, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international health campaign aimed at promoting early detection, education and support for those affected by the disease.