Breast cancer- Why awareness is important
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women in India and the world. The heartening fact about breast cancer is that it is one of the most curable cancers. If left undetected and untreated however, breast cancer can spread to other parts and become life threatening.
You have the best chance of beating breast cancer if you detect it early. There is a better chance of going into remission if you detect and treat breast cancer at stage 1 or stage 2. While early detection gives the best result, other factors such as the type of breast cancer, its rate of spread etc. are also important.
Awareness is the key to effective treatment
Knowledge and awareness are the main factors that decide whether you seek medical help in time. That is why it is very important to spread awareness about breast cancer among the public. The more you know about the disease and its symptoms, the better chance you have of detecting it early.
Know the symptoms of breast cancer
- A new lump in the breast or underarm
- Change in shape, texture or feel of breast
- Pain, swelling, redness or soreness in the breast
- Discharge from nipple
- Pain or pulling in of the nipple
- Redness or flaky skin around the nipple
Are you at risk of developing breast cancer?
These are the factors that increase the risk of breast cancer
- Getting older
- Having denser breasts
- History of breast problems and conditions
- Family history of breast cancer
- Genetic factors
- Exposure to radiation
- Early puberty and late menopause
- Never having children
- Having your first baby at over 30 years of age
- Hormone therapy
- Alcohol
If you are at risk of breast cancer here are a few things you should do.
- Learn how to do a breast self-examination and do it regularly to detect changes.
- Talk to your doctor about screening for breast cancer.
- Take a regular mammogram.
- Be active and exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
- Maintain healthy weight.
- Adopt a healthy diet.
- Avoid or limit alcohol intake.
- Limit hormone therapy for menopause problems.
- Consult your doctor about preventive medications and preventive surgery.
Remember breast cancer has a very good survival rate. If you are aware of its symptoms, detect it early and get the right treatment, there is good chance of beating it. Consult our expert if you have any of the risk factors or symptoms. We will diagnose and customize your treatment for the best results.