Philips’s Husband Initiated Movement against Breast Cancer (HIM) campaign to raise awareness on breast cancer detection
Philips India announced the Husband Initiated Movement against Breast Cancer (HIM) campaign to raise awareness on prevention of breast cancer by educating husbands about the need to secure their wives’ health. Having reached out to over one crore people, the campaign is running in its fourth year with an aim to popularise breast self-examination and promote the benefits of early detection, by motivating husbands to encourage their wives to undergo breast self –examination. With approximately 1.4 million women being diagnosed with breast cancer and one of every two women dying from it, early detection can significantly improve survival rates.
The HIM campaign, implemented across India, has a multi-pronged approach with the aim of reaching out to women across different socio economic strata. In its endeavour to build awareness around breast cancer and motivate men to encourage their wives to undergo breast self -examination, Philips has joined hands with leading oncologists, opinion leaders, survivors and care providers. The initiative also provides for preventive screening and medical help through the Asha Jyoti and Mamo van projects in select states including Punjab and Kerala. The Asha Jyoti project running for the past three years has screened approximately 10,000 women for breast cancer. In addition, Philips community centres in urban slums will also spread awareness through special sessions by doctors and street plays. The campaign will also address the role of food and lifestyle in preventing cancer.
EH News Bureau