R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, NOV 8
A spirit of strength and sisterhood filled the air as over 250 breast cancer survivors/warriors came together for ‘Engal Utsav – Breast Cancer Survivor Day Celebration’, jointly organised by Chennai Breast Centre and Sharana Breast Cancer Relief & Research Foundation. The annual gathering aimed to raise awareness on post-treatment care, lifestyle modification, insurance options, and the importance of breast reconstruction—empowering women to embrace healing beyond the hospital.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Selvi Radhakrishna, Director, Chennai Breast Centre, and Founder, Sharana Foundation, said, “We are truly happy and proud to organise Engal Utsav, which is a celebration of courage, compassion, and community. Breast cancer survivors often carry many unspoken worries—the fear of relapse, uncertainty about finances for ongoing care, and doubts about lifestyle choices that support recovery. There is also limited awareness about options like breast reconstruction and other restorative therapies. Utsav was conceived to address all these concerns under one roof through open dialogue, expert guidance, and shared experiences.”
- Chennai Breast Centre and Sharana Foundation host a day of hope, learning, and solidarity for survivors and caregivers
- Experts emphasise lifestyle transformation, emotional health, and inclusive insurance for holistic recovery
- Surgeons highlight the need to integrate breast reconstruction into mainstream cancer care in India
- “Utsav is a celebration of courage, compassion, and community,” says Dr. Selvi Radhakrishna
The event featured enlightening talks by medical and wellness experts. Dr. Sheela Nambiar, Consultant Obstetrician and Lifestyle Medicine Specialist, urged participants to take charge of their health: “Health cannot be managed by doctors alone—patients must take an active role in their own well-being. The first step is regular screening and cultivating conscious daily habits. Nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, and relationships form the true foundation of health.”
She stressed that movement is key and emotional well-being is equally vital.
“A morning workout isn’t enough; our bodies are designed to stay active throughout the day. Authentic connections nurture mental health, while avoiding toxic interactions preserves peace and energy. Real strength lies in taking charge, understanding our bodies, and making conscious choices—we must become active participants in our healing journey.”
Highlighting the role of reconstructive surgery, Dr. Venkat Ramakrishnan, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Chennai Breast Centre, said, “Breast reconstruction is not just a surgical option—it’s a vital part of emotional and physical recovery. In India, breast cancer accounts for nearly one-third of all cancers among women, yet fewer than 1% undergo reconstruction compared to over 65% in Europe. Awareness, training, and financial inclusion can help bridge this gap.”
Experts and breast cancer warriors/survivors who had attended the event stressed the government and insurers to work in tandem to consider ‘Breast Reconstruction’ procedure as deformity and not as cosmetic nature and ensure insurace coverage for the courageous women who opt for removal and reconstruction of Breast as part of their cancer treatment. It is high time to establish a regulatory body for Hospitals in the country in line with SEBI Share Markets/Mutual Funds and IRDAI for Insurance companies, asserted Dr Prakash.
He added that reconstruction techniques have evolved significantly, with over 99.5% success rates in microsurgical procedures.
“These natural reconstructions age with the body and can sometimes even reduce the need for post-surgery radiotherapy. The way forward is to integrate reconstruction into cancer treatment and expand surgeon training.”
Discussing financial protection, Dr. S. Prakash, former Managing Director of Star Health Insurance, emphasised the need for inclusivity in insurance coverage.
“Despite progress in healthcare and insurance, individual stakeholders often remain dissatisfied. We must work toward an inclusive ecosystem that covers not only healthy individuals but also those recovering from illnesses such as breast cancer.”
Greater transparency between policyholders, hospitals, and insurers is the need of the hour, he stressed.
It is high time to establish a regulatory body for Hospitals in the country in line with SEBI for Mutual Funds and IRDAI for Insurance companies, asserted Dr Prakash.
“People must fully understand what their policy covers and under what circumstances. Likewise, insurers and service providers must listen more closely to consumers’ needs. Continuous engagement will build trust and lead to more equitable insurance products.”
As the event concluded with survivor stories, music, and heartfelt camaraderie, the message was clear — awareness is healing, and healing is power.
Engal Utsav truly stood as a celebration of life, resilience, and the shared determination to make breast cancer survivorship a journey of hope and holistic recovery.
