Breast cancer has surpassed cervical cancer to become the most common cancer affecting women in Indiawith 167,000 new cases being diagnosed every year. Due to lack of awareness and absence of an organized screening program, more than 70% reach advanced stages and every ten minutes, a woman surrenders to it.

On Sunday, Dr Raghu Ram, president of Association of Surgeons of India (ASI), concludedthis at the 42nd annual conference of ASI’s Andhra Pradesh chapter at KL University in the city. Around 1,500 surgeons across the state had participated in the three-day conference and around 550 doctors presented their papers here.

Ragu Ram also highlighted that clinical ability and effective communication with patients and their relatives are very vital skills for every doctor. He further added that by giving time to patients and listening to them, doctors would find few of the real rewards in practicingthe art and science of surgery.