Breast cancer is an ancient disease – in 440 BC the Greek historian Herodotus records the history of Atossa the Persian queen wife of Emperor Darius who had breast cancer which was excised by her Greek slave Democides. We have moved away from those dark ages to elegant, targeted therapies of personalized medicine which focus on cure and quality of life. Unfortunately, breast cancer still accounts for approximately 25% of all new cancers diagnosed. WHO reports, 65 % of patients in India present with stage III or IV of the disease, thereby severely restricting treatment options. The primary reason for this is the lack of awareness & screening resulting in diagnosis at an advanced stage of disease. Our health care system is not able to grapple with this explosion due to its limited resources. There is also a lack of trained manpower. Differing standards of Breast Imaging and reporting compound this problem.

In a moment of humility with great honour and privilege I take this baton from the exemplery past office bearers to serve as a General Sceretary of BISI for 2021 23. I seek Blessings from our visionary founder Dr Pant for the same. With the guidance of our very able President Dr Bagyam, I am motivated to take this society forward on all fronts along with the support of our current dynamic team members and all of you.

It has been only a rapid, upward and fruitful journey in achieving many goals for the society in just eight years. I must congratulate all the preceding office bearers for their outstanding dedicated work and remarkable initiatives contributing to the immense growth and progress of our society resulting in national and international recognition in a short span.