Women spend a considerable time in front of a mirror admiring their
appearances but they fail to devote just a few minutes examining their
breasts as any lump or thickening in or near the breast or the underarm
region is a sign of breast cancer. A recent Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR) data shows that the incidence of breast cancer is high among
Indian females in the metropolitan cities and it is estimated that one in
every 22 Indian female is likely to develop breast cancer during her
lifetime.
Of all the exports from our modern world, breast cancer ranks as among the
most dubious. Once thought to be a disease of the rich, it is now a global
epidemic. Medical oncologists believe that on an average every year in India
they see approximately 80,000 new cases of breast cancer. An estimated 1.3
million new cases were diagnosed around the world last year. "Breast cancer
is a creation of our modern lifestyle" says Dr. Shona Nag, Medical
Oncologist. Lack of physical exercise, obesity, blood sugar, diabetes,
delaying having children, non breast feeding combined with lack of awareness
on cancer, sex education and reproductive health could predispose you to
breast cancer.
As more countries modernise, more women will enter an increasingly sedentary
workforce, delay childbearing, exert control over their reproductive lives,
live longer and eat a more westernised diet. Their breast cancer rates will
no doubt increase. It is crucial that women's awareness of their risk and
their expectations of their government and the medical community regarding
detection and treatment increase at a similar rate.
Breast cancer does not cause pain in the early stages, but as it grows it
triggers some changes that can be caught early. Every woman needs to
practice early detection measures. A stitch in time applies to breast cancer
too," informs Dr. Nag
The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better are your chances to beat
it. "Cancer is more treatable and curable, especially with early detection
techniques such as Breast Self Exam (BSE) and clinical breast exam (CBE) by
the doctor. Mammography is beneficial and is recommended once in a year or
two years after the age of 40. Benefits are more for women over 50 years of
age since the breast density reduces and lesions are more easily detected."
informs Dr Shona Nag
Breast Cancer is often considered to be familial but it doesn't mean women
without a family history are in the safe zone. While familial reasons result
in 20 to 30 per cent of women with breast cancer, more than 70 per cent
patients are women with no family history of cancer.
Doctors estimate that in about 1 in 20 women (5 per cent), the cancer has
already spread to another part of their body when they are first diagnosed.
And it is often seen that about 1 in 5 of these women (20 per cent) live for
at least five years after their diagnosis. But only about 1 in 25 women (4
per cent) live for more than 10 years.
Symptoms
* Breast lump
* Nipple discharge
* Retracted nipple
* Red/inflammed nipple
* Breast enlargement
* Breast shrinkage
* Breast becomes hard
* Bone pain
* Back pain
Prevention
* Monthly self-breast examination
* Yearly breast exams by your physician
* Intake of nutritious diet
* Physical exercise
