BREAST CANCER
How common is breast cancer?
In the western countries, 1 in every 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. The percentage here is comparatively less (1 in 22 in urban India and 1 in 64 in rural India) but because of our population, the overall number of people affected and the resultant cancer burden is quite high.
Who is at risk for breast cancer?
No one is immune to breast cancer. Non-modifiable factors that increase risk include female gender, increasing age, personal or family history of breast cancer, known mutation in breast cancer genes, early onset of menses or late menopause, some benign breast lesions, dense breasts on mammogram and history of radiation exposure.
Modifiable risk factors are postmenopausal obesity, sedentary lifestyle, late or no childbearing, not breastfeeding, using prolonged hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oral contraceptive pills (OCP) and consuming alcohol.
How can I reduce my risk?
Eat healthy and maintain an active lifestyle. Try to have your first child before the age of 30 years and breastfeed for up to 1 year if possible. Limit any hormonal therapy to the shortest duration possible and limit alcohol consumption.
How do I know if I have breast cancer?
Every woman over the age of 20 years should be aware of the possible breast cancer symptoms (i.e breast lump, nipple discharge or crusting, sunken nipple, any new fullness/flatness in the breast shape, thickness or orange peel appearance if the skin) and perform self breast examination every month 7-10 days after her first day of period. Postmenopausal women can chose any date for their monthly self exam.
Starting at the age of 30, women should approach a breast specialist to have an annual clinical breast examination. At the age of 40, the need for biennial mammogram should be discussed and performed then or at 50 years based on her individual risk.
I found something, now what?
Visit a physician at the earliest for a clinical breast examination, breast imaging and biopsy if advised.