Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : October 13, 2014 2:48 PM IST
October is breast cancer awareness month.
How often have you noticed men and women staring at your breasts rather than your face? Quite a few, would be what most women say. But the producers of this video had a burning need to find out exactly how many times a woman's breasts were stared at in an average. In this video a women had a camera installed in her bra. As she goes about her daily routine, a number of glances check her out. But before you start thinking how perverse this world can be, here's the kicker. The makers of this video go through this entire exercise to raise awareness about breast cancer, in an initiative to tell women the importance of self-examining their breast regularly to catch breast cancer early. Here's all you need to know about the disease.
Why it is important to be aware of breast cancer?
Breast cancer accounts for a staggering 25 to 35 % of all cancers in women in cities and this number is slowly rising in the rural India as well. Although the exact cause of this problem is still unknown, factors such as early menarche, being pregnant after 30 years of age and late menopause increase the risk of breast cancer. Whereas risk due to other factors like sedentary life, stress, unhealthy food and lack of sleep can be lowered by implementing lifestyle changes.
Dr Sumeet Shah, a renowned oncologist, says 'It is a myth that breast cancer occurs only in old women. More than 50% of women suffering from breast cancer are between 25 to 50 years of age.Also, as breast cancer is NOT preventable, it is very important to detect it in its initial stage and ensure a maximum survival.' Here are few guidelines that every women above 20 years should follow for early detection of breast cancer.
Breast Awareness: Every women (between 20 - 40 years of age and thereafter also) should do a breast self-examination at least once in a month (preferably at the 5th day of menstrual cycle). In this way, any changes that occur in the breast can felt and reported to a doctor.
Clinical Breast Examination: It involves breast examination by a qualified health professional (mainly by a breast surgeon or an oncologist). While women between 20 - 40 years of age are recommended to consult a doctor once in two - three years, those above 40 years of age should get clinical breast examination once in a year.
Mammography: Although women above 40 years of age are advised to undergo mammography annually, in some cases it is delayed till a woman turns 50. So it is necessary to consult your doctor and let them decide for you.
Video Source: YouTube.com
Image Source: Getty Images
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