To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Vedanta Group, India’s leading metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology conglomerate, has announced two partnerships aimed at strengthening early detection and care for breast cancer.
Through its flagship BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), one of India’s leading cancer care hospitals in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh, BMC has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with The DEAR Foundation, a Switzerland-based non-profit organization, and the Translational AI for Networked Universal Healthcare (TANUH) Foundation to advance innovative and tech-led approaches towards breast health, enable early identification, timely diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
As part of its partnership with The DEAR Foundation, BMC will promote breast self-awareness among women in resource-constrained settings through Dear You, a free app offering step-by-step breast examination guidance in 11 languages, including Hindi, with reminders to encourage regular self-checks.
Additionally, BMC and the TANUH Foundation at IISc Bengaluru, an AI Centre of Excellence in Healthcare set up by the Ministry of Education, will develop an AI-enabled screening tool that assesses breast cancer risk and help identify women who may require further evaluation through mammography. BMC will support with clinical and mammography data while keeping patient confidentiality intact to develop screening model tailored to Indian women, with the aim of enabling earlier detection and more affordable screening.
With over 60% of breast cancer cases in India reportedly being diagnosed at Stage III or IV, the need for greater awareness and early detection is critical. Both these partnerships come at a crucial time as India fights its breast cancer battle. Today, it is the most diagnosed cancer among Indian women, yet many cases are still detected late.
Vedanta’s BALCO Medical Centre (BMC) in Chhattisgarh is making a meaningful difference in this regard. Beyond its two new partnerships, BMC is advancing accessible, quality cancer care through its Comprehensive Breast Health Clinic. Led by an all-women multidisciplinary team, the clinic supports patients across the continuum of care—from early detection and diagnosis to treatment and recovery.
The impact of this approach is reflected in the experiences of patients such as 39-year-old Deepika Kannoje from Raipur, who underwent chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and rehabilitation at BMC after discovering a breast lump. She also underwent a specialised LYMPHA procedure aimed at reducing the risk of lymphoedema following lymph node surgery.
Similarly, Rajeshwari Jaiswal was diagnosed with breast cancer at 22 while pursuing her LLB. After undergoing chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery and radiation at BMC, she completed her degree and today practises as an advocate at the High Court in Bilaspur, while continuing regular follow-ups.
BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), a flagship initiative under the Vedanta Medical Research Foundation is a 170-bed, state-of-the-art tertiary care oncology facility, providing comprehensive cancer care and allied services across medical, surgical and radiation oncology, haematology, bone marrow transplantation and palliative care.
To date, BMC has recorded over 5 lakh OPD visits and treated more than 76,000 patients. The institution has received several certifications and accreditations, including NABH, LEED, FSSAI, NABL, Nursing Excellence and CAHO certifications.
BALCO Medical Centre is strengthening its focus on helping women recognise potential breast health concerns earlier, while providing comprehensive, patient-centred care through their treatment journeys. By bringing together awareness, technology and multidisciplinary expertise, BMC aims to help more women access timely diagnosis, treatment and support.