ABC of Breast Health - Amitabh Bachchan launches mobile app to spread awareness on breast cancer

New Delhi: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Wednesday launched a mobile application named 'ABC of Breast Health', which provides detailed information about breast cancer in 12 Indian languages at an event in Mumbai.

The actor, who is a tuberculosis and Hepatitis B conqueror, said that timely detection, treatment and awareness can held a person survive any disease.

"In 2005 when I was diagnosed with Hepatitis B, my 75 per cent liver was already damaged. I have been surviving with my 25 per cent liver since then. Because the disease was detected at a time and proper care was taken, today I am standing in front of you people.

"In 2007, I was diagnosed with tuberculosis at an early stage, so I was able to take a treatment and come out of it. In short, I am saying from my life experiences, timely detection of any diseases is always beneficial," said Bachchan.

This is the first-ever mobile app in the world dedicated to breast health and is launched in 12 most popular languages in the country.

"Since I have been associated with various health campaigns, I have realised that people have very less knowledge about such diseases and are living with many misconceptions. This app will help commoners to gain a general awareness about breast cancer," Bachchan added.

The function was graced by Pamela Yash Chopra, Patron of Ushalaskhmi Breast Cancer Foundaion, along with Dr P.Raghu Ram, CEO and Director of the foundation, K. Padmanabhaiah who is the former Union Home Secretary, Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, IT, Government of Telengana and two breast cancer survivors Dharini and Mukta Chindalia.

The app, which is available on Google Play and Apple for free downloading, is conceived, created and designed by Ushalaskhmi Breast Cancer Foundation.

A proposal has also been submitted to the Health Ministry to consider incorporating the application in the official health portal of the Union Government.

Mr Bachchan has been associated with various health campaigns like Polio, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis and diabetes, shared his own story as an example to drive his point home.

Currently, India is witnessing more and more numbers of patients being diagnosed with breast cancer, including the younger age groups (in their thirties and forties).

Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in most cities in India, and 2nd most common in the rural areas.

While there is no definite way to cure breast cancer, making healthier lifestyle choices has been shown to reduce the risk even in high-risk women.

(With IANS inputs)