Zydus And Pinkathon Join Hands To Drive Awareness On Breast Cancer Across India

Coinciding with the Government’s ongoing Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivaar campaign, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., a global innovation-led healthcare company, and Pinkathon, India’s biggest women’s run, today announced their nationwide collaboration to drive awareness on breast cancer and women’s health.

The initiative, which is part of Zydus’ “Easiest Exam” campaign and now in its second edition, emphasizes how a simple 3-minute self-breast exam every month can help save lives through early detection.

To be launched on December 21, 2025, Zydus Pinkathon will traverse six major cities, reaching over 30,000 women in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chennai. The journey will kick off with the milestone 10th edition of the Mumbai Pinkathon.

The official launch event featured distinguished leaders, including Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences Ltd.; Meha Patel, Vice-Chairperson of Zydus Foundation; celebrated fitness icon and Pinkathon founder Milind Soman; and Ankita Konwar, Founder of Invincible Women.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sharvil Patel said, “With the Easiest Exam campaign, we seek to empower women with the knowledge that a simple 3-minute self-examination each month can make a life-saving difference. Joining hands with Pinkathon, we aim to reach many more women, raise awareness, and inspire collective action in the fight against breast cancer. We believe that raising awareness on women’s health and breast cancer remains equally vital, as early detection has the power to save countless lives.”

Milind Soman, founder and the driving force behind Pinkathon, said, “At Pinkathon, our mission has always been to encourage every woman to take charge of her health and fitness while building a community that celebrates strength and inclusivity. With Zydus coming on board as the Title Partner for Pinkathon, we are taking this mission on a larger scale and urging women from all walks of life to participate and make health their priority. Together with Zydus, we are creating a powerful platform that will not only raise awareness but also drive meaningful action for women’s health across India.”

Meha Patel added, “A woman is at the very core of the entire family’s happiness and well-being. Therefore, it is very important to spread the message that women need to prioritise their health. As it is rightly emphasised today, Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivaar. The awareness of the self-breast exam to help detect breast cancer early can be a life-saving step for millions of women, as we need to arrest the alarming rise of breast cancer cases in India.”

The 2025–26 Zydus Pinkathon season will offer diverse race categories catering to all fitness levels, including 3 km, 5 km, 10 km, and ultra distances of 50 km, 75 km, 100 km, and a 100 km relay under the Invincible Women initiative.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women globally, with India witnessing over 200,000 new cases annually. Lack of awareness, stigma, and limited access to healthcare contribute to delayed diagnosis, often when the disease has advanced significantly. Breast cancer risk peaks between the ages of 50 and 64. Alarming trends, however, indicate a rise in cases among younger women, with 25% of cases now occurring in women under 40.

Set to launch in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Zydus-Pinkathon campaign’s second edition champions the simple mantra: “Two hands, three minutes, one easy exam” — a step that can transform a woman’s life.

The campaign will feature awareness drives, podcasts, engaging events, and candid conversations with leading oncologists to dispel myths, reduce stigma, and share inspiring stories of breast cancer survivors—illuminating courage, resilience, and hope.