Apollo Cancer Centre (ACC) has launched a new initiative, mixing indulgence with awareness through ‘Check-Olate’ – a dark chocolate bar with an important message – take a minute for yourself. Women have been advised to take care of their health and make self Breast Examine a part of their monthly regimen.
Breast cancer is still the leading cause of cancer incidence among Indian women, accounting for 13.5% of all new cancer cases and 10.6% of all cancer deaths, as per GLOBOCAN. These countries have one of the lowest mammography rates in the developing world. Just 1.6% of all women ages 30-69 have ever had mammography. Noticing this gap, ACC has designed "Check O late" to make early breast cancer detection commonplace and to enable women to gain control of their own health.
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Healthcare leaders support the initiative
The initiative was kick-started in Kolkata in the presence of Dr Surinder Singh Bhatia, Director of Medical Services for Apollo Hospitals Eastern Region, and Smt. Sumitra Barat, Executive Member of Hitaishini, an organisation that spreads awareness of breast cancer among the people of India through its voluntary efforts. Specialists of ACC, such as Dr Arundhati De, Dr Mukti Mukherjee, Dr Rashmi Chand, Dr Ritu Srivastava, and Ms Suhita Mukherjee of Onco-Counsulting, were also present there.
“When women thrive, nations flourish. A woman’s well-being strengthens families, communities, and the economy alike. At ACC, we continue to drive early detection, enable timely intervention, and foster a culture where proactive care becomes second nature. The ‘Check-Olate’ initiative is yet another meaningful step in this journey, reminding every woman that self-care is not a privilege, but a source of power that fuels a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous India,” said Dr Bhatia
Converting a treat into a tool for awareness
Dr. Arundhati De said, “When it comes to breast cancer, early detection saves life. At ACC, it is our constant endeavour to ensure that every woman understands the importance of breast awareness. Awareness about self is the first step to catching an abnormality and breast self-examination is your tool to get familiar with your breasts and detect an abnormality early.
She further added, “Check-Olate is our way of turning a small moment of indulgence into a gentle reminder for self-care. Dark chocolate is comforting and good for the heart, and it is our initiative to tell every woman that a simple self-examination, just a few minutes a month, can make all the difference.”
Every Check-Olate candy bar contains a QR code that can be scanned and directs the user to an animated video clip teaching how a woman can check herself through step-by-step breast self-examination.
Chocolate with a purpose
However, there is more to dark chocolate than its symbolic significance, as it is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and properties that decrease inflammation in the body, stabilise cardiovascular functions, uplift the mood, and promote skin and metabolic well-being (NCBI). Thus, in incorporating the well-being effects along with an important reminder in the context of health, Check-Olate imparts a dual experience: of indulging the senses and taking care of the body.
Smt. Sumitra Barat remarked, “Everyone loves chocolate; it brings comfort, warmth, and a bit of joy into our day. What makes Check-Olate by Apollo Cancer Centre special is how it transforms that simple joy into a heartfelt reminder for women to care for themselves and take charge of their health."
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A movement, not just a campaign
“Check-Olate” is more than just a breast cancer awareness campaign; it is a call for women to reclaim control over their own well-being through rituals that matter to them, no matter how small they may seem to others. With compassion, creativity, and a clear purpose, Apollo Cancer Centre shows that healthcare communications can not only entertain but also empower as well.
With over 30 years of cancer care expertise and 90 oncologists across India, ACC has been delivering international-standard precision cancer therapy with its first Pencil Beam Proton Therapy Centre in South Asia and the Middle East. People from 147 nations have chosen to travel to India for treatment at the Apollo Cancer Centres.
