RCHRC Raises Breast Cancer Awareness among Students of St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi

As breast cancer cases continue to rise among younger women in India, early awareness has become more critical than ever. On October 10, 2025, the Ranchi Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (RCHRC) conducted a Breast Cancer Awareness Session at St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi, as part of its Breast Cancer Awareness Month outreach initiative. Recognising that college-going students represent one of the most informed and influential segment of society, the session aimed to equip them with knowledge on prevention, early detection, and stigma-free health practices.

Breast cancer is often perceived as a disease of older women, but lifestyle-related risk factors are increasingly affecting younger age groups. Early education empowers students not only to care for themselves but also to become peer influencers and first responders within their families and communities.

The session witnessed active participation from 90 graduate and post-graduate students, along with 10 faculty members, including Prof Bharti Singh Raypat (Head, Department of Zoology), Ms Mouli Chakravarty, Dr Manoj Kumar, and Ms Ramita Kumari.

The programme was led by Dr Manika Verma, Consultant, Radiation Oncology, RCHRC, and Ms Priyadarshini Mathew, Manager Marketing, Tata Cancer Care Foundation, who simplified breast health through practical demonstrations and real-life examples. Dr Verma explained the importance of knowing one’s body, practising regular self-examination, and seeking consultation without hesitation or stigma. She addressed common myths that often delay diagnosis.

Ms Mathew spoke about the larger vision of the Tata Trusts’ Cancer Care Programme, under which RCHRC has been established to bridge the gap in accessible cancer care in Jharkhand. She highlighted how RCHRC offers advanced cancer treatment facilities, cashless care through government schemes, and comprehensive support services, while also working at the grassroots level to promote awareness and prevention.

The programme began with a welcome from Rev Fr Robert Pradeep Kujur, S.J., Principal, St. Xavier’s College, and was efficiently coordinated by A.N.O. Captain Dr Priya Srivastava. A lively Q&A session followed, with students voicing concerns on women’s health, stigma, and preventive care.

For RCHRC, such initiatives are not one-time events but a sustained movement. By educating young citizens today, the hospital aims to build a health-aware, stigma-free society tomorrow.