AR to help promote early detection of breast cancer

Hyderabad: With 1,62, 000 new cases being diagnosed every year, breast cancer is the commonest cancer affecting women in India. Due to lack of awareness about 'early detection,' more than 70 are in the advanced stages. Consequently, every 10 minutes, a woman succumbs to breast cancer in the country.

In the first of its kind initiative in the world, a Life Size Augmented Reality has been utilised for creating awareness about importance of early detection of breast cancer.

Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, a not-for-profit breast cancer charity based, will be taking the message of 'early detection' to the doorsteps of people. This initiative was launched by PV Sindhu, who became the first celebrity to feature in this unique campaign.

Gone are the days when you would have to chase a star and wait for a glimpse of him/her. With the help of Life Size Augmented Reality, a star and indeed a doctor, can visit your home and interact with you. All you need to do is download the app.

Once you open the app, by placing your phone over the corner space in your room, you will see a life-size image of the star or the doctor speaking to you, through Augmented Reality technology. You would see your own surroundings in the phone, giving you an impression that the celebrity is right in front of you. The whole idea is to have a one-on-one interaction, without actually being there.

You can even take a 'sefie" with the celebrity/doctor in your own surroundings! Addressing the media, SIndhu, the Padma Shri awardee and world badminton champion, said: "I commend Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation & its founder Dr P Raghu Ram for championing this unique initiative that aims to take the message of 'Early Detection Of Breast Cancer ' into people's homes through life size augmented reality technology.

Dr Raghu Ram and I were conferred the Padma Shri on the same day in 2015 and over the past several years, I have been actively associated with the Pink Ribbon Campaign that he has been championing in India.

I sincerely hope that many more lives would be saved through the awareness created by the Foundation with this remarkable technology. If my celebrity status can help achieve this goal, I would consider it my good fortune to have been associated with this very noble campaign."