Department of Posts Releases Commemorative Stamps to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness
Total Views |
New Delhi , October 31: The Department of Posts has released two commemorative postage stamps and a set of picture postcards dedicated to breast cancer awareness, marking International Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The initiative aims to use India's extensive postal network to spread awareness about early detection, regular screening and preventive healthcare.
The stamps were released by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava and Director General Postal Services Manisha Sinha. The initiative was conceptualised by the Department of Posts, with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare providing technical inputs and reference materials for developing the health-related content.
Focus on Early Detection and Preventive Healthcare
Speaking at the launch, Srivastava highlighted the importance of women's health in building healthy families and a healthy nation. She emphasised the need to prioritise preventive healthcare and regular screening.
Referring to the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan, conducted from September 17 to October 2 last year, she highlighted its focus on women's health through screening and awareness activities.
According to the Union Health Secretary, India reported more than two lakh new breast cancer cases in 2024, with an estimated one in every 29 women at risk of developing the disease. She pointed out that delayed diagnosis remains a major concern despite increasing awareness and the availability of screening facilities.
She encouraged women to undergo regular screening and self-examination and urged people to make greater use of government healthcare facilities and digital health platforms for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Government Reports 86.97 Crore Cancer Screenings
Under the programme, screening for oral, breast and cervical cancers has been integrated into primary healthcare services across more than 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
According to the data shared at the event, a total of 86.97 crore screenings have been conducted for the three cancers. This includes 49.02 crore screenings for oral cancer, 22.90 crore for breast cancer and 14.05 crore for cervical cancer.
स्तन कैंसर के प्रति जागरूकता बढ़ाने की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण पहल!
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) October 31, 2026
डाक विभाग ने केंद्रीय स्वास्थ्य एवं परिवार कल्याण मंत्रालय के सहयोग से स्तन कैंसर के प्रति जागरूकता बढ़ाने के उद्देश्य से विशेष स्मारक डाक टिकट जारी किए।
इस अवसर पर केंद्रीय स्वास्थ्य सचिव श्रीमती पुण्य सलिला… pic.twitter.com/c7I3p7K9rQ
Of those screened, 5.50 lakh individuals are currently undergoing treatment. The figure includes 2.70 lakh oral cancer patients, 1.43 lakh breast cancer patients and 1.37 lakh cervical cancer patients.
She also highlighted the role of the NP-NCD portal and ABHA IDs under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission in maintaining accessible digital health records and ensuring continuity of treatment across healthcare facilities.
Postal Network to Carry Health Messages Across India
Director General Postal Services Manisha Sinha highlighted the role of the postal network in taking important public awareness messages to communities across the country.
She noted that commemorative postage stamps serve as lasting instruments of public communication and reflect important national priorities. She added that the reach of postal services would help spread information about breast cancer screening and encourage support for women affected by the disease.
Additional Director General Dr Pushp Lata highlighted that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India, accounting for more than 30% of all new cancer cases diagnosed among women.
She stressed that early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes and quality of life. She further noted that nearly one-third of breast cancer cases are preventable, while another one-third can be cured if detected early.
About Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Observed annually from October 1 to 31, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international campaign that focuses on educating people about the disease, encouraging early detection and supporting individuals affected by breast cancer.