Bengaluru, Nov 01: HCG Hospital, Hebbal, organised the ‘6 Yards’ Breast Cancer Awareness Walkathon to encourage women to prioritise their breast health and promote greater awareness around early detection. Drawing inspiration from the sari, a garment deeply woven into the lives and traditions of millions of women, the walkathon brought together more than 510 participants, reinforcing the importance of making breast awareness an everyday habit.
The initiative centered on six simple reminders: Know, Check, Notice, Ask, Screen and Act. Together, they encouraged women to understand what is normal for their breasts, recognise changes, seek medical advice when necessary and follow recommended screening guidance. The initiative also introduced six simple steps for self-breast examination, helping women become more familiar with their breast health.
The event was graced by the presence of Siri Gowri D.R., IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police and Chief Vigilance Officer, K.P.C.L., as the Chief Guest. The event also saw the participation of Dr. Jayanthi Thumsi, Group Lead, Robotic Breast Surgery, HCG Cancer Hospitals; Mr. Sachin S. E., Chief Operating Officer, HCG Cancer Hospital, North Bangalore; and Ms. Manisha Kumar, VP and Regional COO, HCG Cancer Hospital, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Speaking on the occasion, Siri Gowri D.R., IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police and Chief Vigilance Officer, K.P.C.L., said, “Women play many major roles in their families and communities, but their own health can sometimes take a backseat. Initiatives like ‘6 YARDS serve as a timely reminder that prioritising one's health is an important part of overall well-being. By encouraging women to speak openly about breast health and seek medical advice when needed, we can help build a more informed and health-conscious community.”
Ms. Manisha Kumar, VP and Regional COO, HCG Cancer Hospital, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, said, “Breast cancer awareness needs to move beyond occasional campaigns and become part of everyday conversations. The ‘6 YARDS’ initiative makes this message relatable by connecting the cultural significance of the sari with six simple actions that women can remember and practise. By bringing communities together, we aim to encourage greater awareness, reduce hesitation around discussing breast health and reinforce the importance of timely medical consultation and appropriate screening.”
Mr. Sachin S. E., Chief Operating Officer, HCG Cancer Hospital, North Bangalore, said, “At HCG, we believe that creating awareness is a crucial step towards making healthcare more proactive and accessible. The ‘6 YARDS walkathon brings together a familiar cultural symbol and a meaningful health message, helping make conversations around breast cancer more approachable. Through initiatives like this, we hope to encourage more women to prioritise their health, seek timely medical guidance and feel empowered to make informed decisions about their well-being.”
Dr. Jayanti Thumsi, Group Lead, Robotic Breast Surgery, HCG Cancer Hospitals, said, “Breast cancer awareness begins with understanding one’s body and recognising unusual changes. The six yards of a saree symbolise six actionable steps—Know, Check, Notice, Ask, Screen and Act—offering women a simple approach to breast health. Being familiar with one’s breasts through Self-Breast Examination helps women recognise changes, but regular screening and timely clinical evaluation remain essential. Any unusual change should be promptly discussed with a healthcare professional to support early diagnosis and appropriate care.”
As part of the initiative, participants received participation kits and enjoyed warm-up and cool-down Zumba sessions, followed by breakfast, making the walkathon an engaging community experience promoting health and well-being.
Through the ‘6 YARDS’ initiative, HCG Cancer Hospitals, Hebbal, reaffirmed its commitment to breast cancer awareness and early detection. By connecting the cultural significance of the six-yard saree with six actionable reminders, the initiative aimed to make conversations around breast health more accessible and reinforce the importance of awareness, timely medical consultation, and appropriate screening.