International Breast Cancer Education, Awareness & Capacity Building Initiative

Ambuja Nagar, Kodinar, Gujarat, India | 10–12 February 2026

In February 2026, the Association of Breast Surgery (ABS), participated in a three-day international breast cancer education, awareness and community screening initiative at Ambuja Nagar, Kodinar, Gujarat, India.

The Ambuja Foundation organised the programme in collaboration with ABS , the Association of Breast Surgeons of India (ABSI), and National Health Mission (NHM).The event received Continuing Medical Education (CME) accreditation from the Gujarat Medical Council (GMC), reflecting its academic credibility and professional relevance.

This marked the third year of ABS engagement with Ambuja Foundation in India, demonstrating sustained commitment to strengthening early detection awareness and building breast health capacity in regional healthcare settings.

ABS Faculty Leadership & International Collaboration

The ABS, UK delegation included:

• Dr Leena Chagla – Consultant Surgeon,Immediate Past President, ABS, UK and Founder of the collaborative programme
• Dr Sarah Downey – Consultant Surgeon, Current President, ABS UK
• Dr Mina Youssef – Consultant Surgeon and member of ABS International Committee
• Dr Victoria Harmer – Nurse Consultant and member of ABS International Committee
• Dr Ruth James (joined virtually)- Consultant surgeon and Chair of ABS International Committee

Under the senior leadership of Dr Leena Chagla, this initiative has evolved over three years into a structured outreach model integrating academic excellence with practical skills transfer and community empowerment.

Throughout the programme, ABS faculty delivered comprehensive lectures addressing global breast cancer trends, diagnostic pathways, surgical management principles, systemic therapies, survivorship, and early detection strategies. Sessions were interactive and encouraged discussion on adapting international best practices to regional healthcare realities.

Faculty members actively demonstrated structured Self-Breast Examination (SBE) techniques in the lecture hall, guiding participants step by step to reinforce practical learning. During workshop sessions, silicone breast prosthesis models were used extensively to facilitate supervised small-group training in symptom recognition and examination technique.

Institutional & Administrative Support

The initiative was led locally by the Ambuja Foundation under the leadership of Ms Pearl Tiwari, CEO, who joined virtually.
Senior representatives included:

• Mr Chandrakant H. Kumbhani – COO, Ambuja Foundation
• Dr Vinayak Sonawane – Associate Director, Health, Ambuja Foundation
• Mr Dalsukh Waghasiya – Regional Head, Ambuja Foundation Gujarat

District health leadership included the Chief District Health Officer (Kodinar) and district representation, including Dr Ashok Ray.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Mr Nilesh Jadeja, IPS (Inspector General of Police, Junagadh) as the Chief Guest. Professional representation also included Dr B. M. Parmar, President, IMA Kodinar. All visiting faculty were invited to take part in the ceremonial lighting of the lamp to inaugurate the programme. 

Day 1 – Academic Conference & Multidisciplinary Exchange

Day 1 was attended by approximately 100 clinicians, including surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, physicians, PHC and CHC medical officers, and private practitioners.

The scientific programme covered:

• Global and Indian breast cancer epidemiology
• Imaging and biopsy pathways
• Surgical management principles
• Systemic therapy overview
• Benign breast disease management
• Early detection strategies and referral networks

Lectures were delivered by Dr Leena Chagla, Dr Sarah Downey, Dr Mina Youssef and Dr Victoria Harmer, each contributing their expertise across key areas of breast cancer care.

The multidisciplinary panel discussion was moderated by Dr Leena Chagla and Dr Sarah Downey, facilitating structured dialogue between UK faculty and regional oncology representatives from Saurashtra Cancer Hospital, Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI-affiliated) and other private hospitals.

Dr Ashwini Jasani (Modi), a Breast Oncoplastic Surgeon in Rajkot and ABSI representative, delivered multiple academic sessions, presented cases for the MDT discussion and actively participated in the panel discussions.

The academic exchange fostered meaningful collaboration and discussion on strengthening diagnostic pathways and multidisciplinary care within the region.

Day 2 – Capacity Building for Frontline Healthcare Workers

A Core Impact Component

Day 2 focused on empowering frontline healthcare providers, with over 200 participants including Community Health Officers (CHOs), Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and nursing staff.

The principal teaching sessions were led by Dr Victoria Harmer and Dr Ashwini Jasani (Modi), concentrating on breast awareness, early symptom recognition and structured clinical breast examination.
ABS faculty — including Dr Leena Chagla, Dr Sarah Downey and Dr Mina Youssef — remained actively involved throughout the workshop, facilitating practical training sessions using silicone prosthesis teaching models.

Participants practised examination techniques under supervision, strengthening confidence in:

• Early warning sign recognition
• Standardised examination technique
• Risk reduction counselling
• Clear referral pathways
• Reducing diagnostic delay at the primary care level

The GMC CME accreditation reinforced the programme’s educational standards and encouraged professional participation.

Day 3 – Community Screening & Collaborative Clinical Outreach

The third day centred on direct community engagement through a free breast health screening camp for women from surrounding villages.
Approximately 100 women underwent a structured clinical breast examination conducted by the newly trained community workers under the supervision of ABS UK faculty and ABSI representation. Women identified with any positive findings were counselled and referred appropriately for further diagnostic evaluation and specialist consultation.

Dr D. G. Vijay, President of ABSI, was present during the screening initiative, reinforcing the collaborative partnership between ABS UK and ABSI.

Clinicians from Saurashtra Cancer Hospital, Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI-affiliated) and other private hospitals in Rajkot joined the screening camp in professional collaboration.
Dr Ashwini Jasani (Modi) worked alongside ABS faculty throughout the screening programme, contributing to clinical examination and patient counselling. She also produced 8 information leaflets in the local language ranging from Breast self examination to myths about Breast cancer.

Dr Leena Chagla and Dr DG Vijay also were on the local radio station (Lokvani FM) broadcasting the importance of early diagnosis of Breast Cancer and promoting Breast Awareness to over 1000 local farmers and their families.

A symbolic tree-planting activity was undertaken by all delegates at the beginning of the screening campaign. 

Community Engagement & SEDI Initiative

The delegation visited the Ambuja Foundation’s Self-Employed Development Initiative (SEDI), a programme dedicated to empowering young women and men through vocational training and skill development.

Interaction with beneficiaries and with women’s self-help groups led by Ms Motiben highlighted the integration of women’s health awareness with broader social empowerment efforts.

The delegation also visited the Somnath Mahadev Temple, reflecting cultural exchange and mutual respect for regional heritage. The programme concluded with a guided visit to Gir Forest but sadly the lions avoided us that day!

Conclusion

Now in its third year, this initiative demonstrates the value of sustained international collaboration in advancing breast cancer awareness, frontline training and community screening. 

Through academic leadership, practical skill transfer, and community outreach, ABS UK and ABSI have jointly strengthened awareness of early detection and breast health services in the Gir Somnath region. Ambuja Foundation not only locally sponsor and organise the events but are committed to following up the programmes in each region with meticulous data collection.

This programme stands as a model of international partnership grounded in education, empowerment and long-term commitment.

- Dr Ashwini Jasani (Modi)