In a significant move to combat the rising tide of breast cancer in India, Tata Trusts has unveiled a new social awareness campaign featuring renowned Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. The campaign, titled ‘Gaanth Pe Dhyan’ (‘Focus on the Lump’), aims to encourage women to perform regular breast self-examinations. Dr. Shalaka Joshi, Surgical Oncologist, Tata Memorial Hospital, added, “Breast cancer affects 1 in 30 women in India, with incidence rates rising over the past 25 years. Early detection is crucial for achieving a high cure rate, with over 90% success at five years, if diagnosed early. Unfortunately, 60% of women in our country are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to a lack of awareness of early signs and symptoms, unavailability of screening, ignorance of personal health, and fear of treatment. Early-stage detection also leads to less intensive treatment and a better quality of life. In my clinical experience, many women ignore lumps in their breasts because they don’t cause pain, but it is vital to understand that painless lumps are not without risk. Young women can also develop breast cancer and should be watchful. Our mission is to address this ignorance and encourage women to be “breast aware” and seek medical attention early. Empowering women with this knowledge has the potential to significantly reduce the disease burden.”
Tata Trusts, with a legacy in cancer care since the 1940s, continues to innovate in the fight against cancer through their Comprehensive Cancer Care program. This initiative includes the establishment of screening kiosks and diagnostic units, in collaboration with state governments and the National Health Mission, to make high-quality care accessible and affordable. With this aim, Tata Trusts unveiled a unique campaign, ‘Gaanth Pe Dhyan’ (‘Focus on the Lump’), which draws inspiration from the meticulous care that women put into cooking meals and preventing lumps from forming in their food to encourage women to apply the same attention to self-examining their breasts regularly for any sign of a ‘gaanth’ (lump).
Complementing its on-ground activation with local communities, the Trusts launched a social awareness film to nudge more women to prioritize their health and embrace self-care. Featuring Padma Shri recipient and eminent Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, the film is aimed at reaching and resonating with an engaged audience of women viewers. Creatively exploring the simple metaphor linking cooking and breast self-examination, the film hopes to inspire women to sign up for breast screening, encourage them not to neglect their health, and help save lives. This addresses the diverse range of factors that may result in delayed medical attention for women – from low awareness, social norms, and gender biases to dependence on other family members to seek medical help. “At Tata Trusts we recognize the crucial role that awareness can play in educating women on the importance of early detection through self-breast examination. Gaanth pe Dhyan is our endeavor to use a simple everyday insight to nudge women to adopt this critical behavior change and prioritise their health. The resonance that women showed to this message during our community events across the country encouraged us to reach a wider audience through a film, striving to help them understand how simple and easy it is and how potentially life-changing it can be,” noted Shilpi Ghosh, Brand and Marketing Communications, Tata Trusts.
The new campaign creatively connects the meticulous care in cooking to breast health awareness. The film features Chef Sanjeev Kapoor using the metaphor of preventing lumps in food to emphasize the importance of self-examining for breast lumps. The aim is to reach a wide audience, encouraging women to prioritize their health and seek early medical intervention. In Kolkata, the campaign has seen a warm reception. Local markets are buzzing with discussions about the film, reflecting a growing awareness among women to take proactive steps towards their health. The inclusion of a familiar and respected figure like Chef Kapoor has added a relatable and impactful element to the message, resonating deeply within the community.
