Bollywood makes its presence felt for breast cancer cause
Mumbai:Bollywood lent a helping hand to the cause of breast cancer-affected people and spread public awareness about the dangers associated with cancer on Saturday, when actors Sanjay Dutt and Sharman Joshi rewarded winners of a rally organized here recently.
Organised
at the Bandra Reclamation Grounds here, 'The Lavasa Women's Drive 2010' was
held
on March 7 to raise awareness and aid for cancer among women. Dutt, Joshi and
filmmaker Rakesh Roshan presented trophies to the winners. Dutt told reporters
that he felt responsible about spreading awareness about cancer, as he remembered
how his mother and yesteryear actor Nargis had struggled and died of cancer. "I
want to say that awareness (about cancer), I think, came after my mother (actress
Nargis Dutt) passed away and my father (actor Sunil Dutt) thought that people
of the country should have the same kind of treatment. Together, we travelled
across India and realised that for a woman to come to a doctor and say that she
has breast cancer was a big thing in our country. But there is nothing wrong in
that. I mean, early detection of cancer can be cured. And, I would request and
I would advise; even if there is slightest hint (of cancer), there's nothing wrong;
you have to go and have yourself checked," said Dutt. Dutt has attended several
events across the country to spread awareness and collect funds for breast cancer
patients. Joshi also voiced similar concerns and said that awareness is extremely
essential. "All I would like to say is, which I mentioned earlier, is that when
such women make such a great difference to your lives, it's very important that
these women are made aware [or they are aware] of these diseases, especially
cancer
that attacks them, and arrest it very early so that they can be cured and do not
suffer," he said. The three winners were given a reward of rupees 600,000 each,
which they are donating towards the Woman's Cancer Initiative, a voluntary initiative
focusing on various issues related to cancer in women. Breast cancer is the most
common form of cancer in women. Every year 200,000 new cases are diagnosed
and over 47,000 women die of breast cancer in India.
