Cancer in women-early detection and prevention should be the policy

Cancer in women-early detection and prevention should be the policy

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. Cancer cases as well as deaths due to cancer are increasing rapidly among Indian women, primarily because of low awareness and late detection. India accounts for the third highest number of cancer cases among women. In India, the word cancer is extremely stigmatized. Women in India fear that their reputation and that of their families would suffer if people knew of their cancer diagnosis and shame increases when cancer involves the reproductive system. Other factors include ignorance, fear, poverty, poor accessibility, gender discrimination and sometimes apathy of health professionals and policy makers.