Breast Cancer- What You Need To Know.

Breast cancer results when cells grow and divide uncontrollably in the breast forming lumps called tumours. It one of the most common cancers affecting women and is a leading cause of death among them.

The positive fact about breast cancer is that it is one of the cancers that can be most effectively treated if diagnosed early and treatment is started immediately.   

The risk factors for breast cancer.

There are many factors that increase the risk of breast cancer. Some of them can be controlled, while some cannot.

Controllable risk factors:

• Obesity
• Hormone therapies
• Breast implants
• Not breast feeding
• Alcohol consumption

Risks that cannot be controlled:

• High breast density
• Age over 55 years
• Getting first period before 12 and menopause after 50 years
• Having your first baby after 30 years
• Not having children
• Family history of breast cancer/ having had breast cancer earlier
• Genetic factors that increase risk of breast cancer
• Exposure radiation
• Being a woman

Symptoms of breast cancer

• A lump or swelling in the breast or armpit
• A hardened area under the skin
• An area that is different from other areas in the breast
• Change in the breast size, shape or contour
• Discharge from nipple
• Crusty or flaky area around the nipple
• Dimpled skin or any other change in the texture of the breast
• Pain in the breast
• Redness or swelling of the breast

It is easy to detect breast cancer.

Do a thorough Breast Self-Examination every month 3 to 5 days after your period ends. After menopause do it on the same day every month. Run your fingers over your breast and up under your armpit. Check for any changes or lumps. If you find any change, consult your doctor immediately.

Get a Mammogram every year once you are over 45 years old. Mammograms can detect breast cancer at a very early stage.

Treatments available for breast cancer.

Breast cancer treatment will depend on whether the cancer is local  (confined to a specific area) or systemic (spread to many parts of the body).

Based on the cancer the treatment will include either any one or a combination of the following therapies.

Oncosurgery: Surgery to remove the tumour.

Chemotherapy: Powerful drugs that destroy cancer cells.

Radiation therapy: Focused radiation that destroys cancer cells.

Hormone therapy: To selectively destroy cancer cells in the body.

Surgery and Radiation are used to treat cancer that is localized, while chemotherapy and hormone therapy are used to treat cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Steps to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Control all the risk factors that are under your control. Get a mammogram regularly if you are over 45 and regularly do a breast self-exam to detect breast cancer early.

If you have a family history of breast cancer, talk to our specialists to check if you may need to screen for cancer, and when you should start your mammograms. We offer comprehensive breast cancer care from diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.