On November 20, 2023, HITAISHINI, a renowned, totally voluntary, non-profit, charitable organisation that helps breast cancer patients in Eastern India, held a Breast Cancer Awareness Programme, from 1.00 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. with four of their resource persons in WIN House. The programme was attended by Mrs. Chitra Basu, Treasurer, Tollygunge Women In Need (TWIN), some selected staff and teachers and twenty five women beneficiaries of TWIN. The resource persons gave detailed informative lectures that explained about the importance of early detection, regular medical check-up and numerous causes and common symptoms of breast cancer. They also explained how to use the process of self examination for early detection of this disease. The participants narrated their personal experiences and actively participated in the session by asking several important questions. Five beneficiaries, above forty years of age, underwent mammogram testing process for breast cancer, supported by Chittaranjan National Cancer Research Institution.
Later, on the same day, from 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm, Mrs. Rabika Begum and three of her junior colleagues, all Technical staff of Chittaranjan National Cancer Research Institution (CNCRI), held a Cervical Screening Awareness Programme, in WIN House. Mrs Rabika Begum gave a very informative lecture on the topic and recommended all women in the age group of 20-65 years undergo cervical screening, every three to five years. Thereafter, she conducted the process of collecting swabs from the cervix of the twenty two women beneficiaries participating. The swab samples were taken back to CNCRI for testing. TWIN received the reports of the tests of these participants. Since the test report of two participants appeared susceptive, they were advised to see the doctors at CNCRI. Luckily the doctors there examined the women and found nothing wrong with these two women.