Trained blind women to help early detection of breast cancer

These women may be visually challenged, but they are trained to conduct a certain kind of touch that will help early detection of breast cancer. Life science company Bayer is conducting an awareness session for its women employees; the session is called 'Discovering Hands' wherein blind women will use their highly developed sense of touch for early detection of abnormalities, which could be indicative of breast cancer. Such an exercise is being organised by Bayer at its Thane office on May 24. Bayer has joined hands with the National Association of the Blind (NAB) India Centre for Blind Women to train blind women.

Prerna Dharni, the programme manager said, ''Tactile breast examination is an innovative technique developed by renowned German gynaecologist Dr Frank Hoffman. It uses the highly developed sensory skills of trained visually impaired women to detect the smallest abnormality in the breast which. They are called medical tactile examiners (MTE). Six girls from the first batch and another six girls from the second batch are currently doing their internship.''

She informed that the training is conducted by the NAB India Centre for Blind Women, New Delhi, in collaboration with Discovering Hands, Germany. The programme is supported by Bayer Crop Science in India.

The Bayer India spokesperson said, over a span of three years, the company proposes to reach 45,000 women and train 21 MTE and it will be subsequently extended to other cities in India. The blind examiner can find lumps significantly smaller than physicians due to their tactile sense.

Bayer South Asia head (corporate social responsibility) said the company supports the initiative to encourage impact investments that can help empower women. ''Discovering Hands is a fine example of supporting innovation for a social cause,'' he noted.

Changemakers

• The exercise is being organised by Bayer at its Thane office on May 24 
• Bayer joined hands with National Assn of the Blind India Centre for Blind Women to train the visually challenged 
• The programme is based on blind women’s highly developed sense of touch