Bipasha Basu: Breast cancer is neglected in India

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu said that breast cancer is a much neglected ailment in India and most women do not take it as seriously as they should. To create awareness for breast cancer, Bipasha and Milind Soman have teamed up for an initiative 'Pinkathon 2012', a running event for women.

"I am delighted to be part of this effort to raise awareness about breast cancer. I hope the people of Mumbai support us. Breast cancer is a much neglected ailment in India, most women don't take it as seriously as they should," Bipasha told reporters here.

"And events like this will only help making women more aware and alert about this disease," she said. An event management company, Maximus Events, led by fitness enthusiast Milind Soman along with Reema Sanghavi, Managing Director of Maximus Events, today announced India's first ever 10km run for women named 'Pinkathon Run to Lead' with an objective to spread awareness about breast cancer and educate people about the causes and prevention of this ailment.

Maximus Events has joined hands with Deveika Bhojwani, Vice President, Women's Cancer Initiative-Tata Memorial Hospital for this initiative. Fitness aficionado Bipasha Basu officially launched the registrations for the event for participants from across the country.

Milind feels running help prevent breast cancer. "Over the last few years I have come to learn by experience the benefits of running as a perfect fitness regime. It is an activity that not only promotes well being but also raises immunity levels and improves health to help fight diseases like cancer," Milind said.

The 10 km run scheduled in the business hub of Bandra Kurla Complex will be held on December 16. This will be the first of the planned ten-city series across India in the coming years. "I am hopeful that the city of Mumbai will live up to its famed spirit and support the cause of spreading awareness about breast cancer while raising adequate funds for the same," Milind said.

Around 2,000 women are expected to take part in this event on December 16. The organisers have given participating women an option to choose between 3km, 5km and 10km runs.