Rising incidences of breast cancer in India
Reported May 07, 2008
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