Delhi plays host to walk for fight against breast cancer

New Delhi, Feb 10 (UNI) To raise awareness about breast cancer, which accounts for maximum number of cancer deaths among women in India, the city today hosted 'Walk for Life'.

The walkathon was flagged off by Mrs Gursharan Kaur, wife of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and participated among others by Minister of Social Justice Meira Kumar, US Ambassador David Mulford and his wife Jeannie Mulford-- herself a breast cancer survivor, fashion designer Ritu Kumar, industrialist Hari Bhartia and Kavita Bhartia and Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah.

''Breast cancer accounts for six per cent of deaths due to cancer across the world. We need to raise awareness so as to facilitate early detection and management of the disease. The government will support any such endeavour,'' Mrs Gursharan Kaur said.

Top oncologists and breast cancer survivors apart from people from all walks of life participated in the walk.

The five kilometre walkathon, which was organised by CanSupport in partnership with the international community in the Capital, began at Central Civil Services Sports Ground.

As part of the initiative the first Asian Breast Cancer Congress was opened here yesterday. Over 350 researchers and doctors from across the country and the US are taking part in the two-day Congress.

UNI PDT YA GC1332