Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting urban Indian women. The last three decades have seen the numbers of breast cancer patients grow steadily. India will be among the world leaders in new breast cancer cases detected every year. Sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise), increased consumption of fat products, postmenopausal obesity, late marriages, delayed child bearing and lesser number of children being conceived, reduced duration of breastfeeding (less than one year per child) are all believed to be reasons for increased risk of breast cancer.
After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the India. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women. In India will be among the world leaders in new breast cancer cases detected every year. Sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise), increased consumption of fat products, postmenopausal obesity, late marriages, delayed child bearing and lesser number of children being conceived, reduced duration of breastfeeding (less than one year per child) are all believed to be reasons for increased risk of breast cancer.
Signs & Symptoms Of Breast Cancer
- New lump in the breast or underarm
- Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
- Redness or flaky skin
- Bloody discharge from the nipple.
- A change in the size or shape of the breast
Risk Factors of Breast Cancer
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Exposure to radiations
- Older age
- Nulliparity (no child births) or late childbearing
- Changes in certain genes, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2
- Using Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) for prolonged periods
The greatest misconception that the common person has about cancer is that all patients eventually die of cancer. It is very important to realise that breast cancer is one of the most curable cancers in the human body. All patients who are cured live a normal life for their entire life. Do this self-breast examination once in 3-4 months and do report to your doctor if you feel something unusual - a lump, retraction of nipple, dimpling of skin, any kind of nipple discharge, etc.
