Written By: Shaloo Tiwari | Updated : October 24, 2017 6:15 PM IST
This is Breast cancer awareness month and according to stats, Breast cancer has now become the most common cancer in India, and 2nd most common in the rural areas. One of the major reason for most cases that turn out to be fatal is lack of early diagnosis and according to studies, it may kill 76,000 Indian women in a year by 2020. Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer among women in India and has already claimed 70,218 lives in 2012, says the same study. It has taken away many lives till date and the average age of death from the disease has shifted from 50 years to 30 years which is scary and the magnitude of the problem is enormous. We spoke to Dr Rucha Kaushik who is a consultant Breast Cancer Surgeon at P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC and here are a few tips laid down by her:
Breast cancer self-examination should be done every month 6-7th day of your menstrual cycle.
Blood stained nipple discharge coming from a single breast is a symptom you shouldn't ignore.
If blood stained discharge is accompanied by a lump. Consult a doctor immediately.
If the discharge is clear, milky or green in colour there isn't much to worry about.
A mammogram should be done after 40 if you have a family history or once in every year after 50 is advisable.
Different risk factors like not breastfeeding a baby or obesity and sedentary lifestyle are responsible for breast cancer sometimes. 5-10 percent causes could be genetic.
A painless lump in the breast or under the arm is one of the major causes of breast cancer.
You can go to any NABL approved lab for testing.
Surgery is one of the major treatments available. These days breast conservation surgeries are available too, wherein complete breast removal is not necessary only the the area of the lump is removed and is filled in with implants or back muscle to make it look similar to the other breast.
When breast conservation is done, radiotherapy is a must.
Most of the side-effects from chemotherapy is reversible.
Breast cancer does affect fertility after 40.
Most of the aggressive tumours are not reversible.
At Hinduja Hospital there is a charitable trust and provides free surgery to the needy.
Early detection of breast cancer makes it highly curable.
A common age group for breast cancer occurrence is between 40- 60 usually during the pre and post-menopausal stage.
There are chances of men developing breast cancer too.
Awareness is very important.
Breast and ovarian cancer is co-related
Tight Bra or wearing bra at night causes cancer is a myth.
Eating rice an lemon and taking bath post surgery is not right to post surgery is a myth.
Finding a lump in the breast doesn't mean it is cancerous too.
Don't panic if you find a lump in your breasts.
Your daily life isn't affected post surgery.
Fat injection can be used to fill the cavity post surgery.
Size and shape of the breasts don't determine cancer.
Crusting over the nipple could be a symptom of breast cancer.
