3 Simple ways to diagnose Breast cancer Early

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females in India.

Although being the most common cancer in females, the tumor takes months to years to develop. Hence, it can be diagnosed early if there is awareness among the general population about its symptoms.

There has been an increased incidence of breast cancer not just among the upper-class people but also people from the middle and low socioeconomic class. Earlier breast cancer was considered to be a disease in the fifth or sixth decade but in the last decade, there has been a surge in younger breast cancer patients.

Although breast cancer can happen to any woman, certain women are at increased risk of Breast cancer such as those who have their first child after the age of 35years, those who don’t have children, those who have not Breastfed their children or have breastfed them for less than one year. Women who have their mother or sister suffering from Breast & ovarian cancer are also at increased risk of Breast cancer.

Breast cancer does not develop in days, It takes many months to years to develop breast cancer.

Common symptoms of Breast cancer include a painless Lump in the Breast or armpit(axilla), bloody discharge from the nipple, deviation or retraction of the Nipple, and change in the color or texture of the skin of the Breast.

Breast cancer can be diagnosed very early if women are aware of all the symptoms and follow these 3 simple advice.

First, women above the age of 18 years should check their breasts while taking a bath and see if they can palpate any lump or if there are any changes in skin or discharge from the nipple. This is called Breast self-examination(BSE) and should be done at least once a month.

Second, women above the age of 30 years should get breast examinations done by cancer experts once a year. Cancer experts will be able to examine all the quadrants of the breast for any palpable lump nipple discharge or swelling in the armpit.

Third, women above the age of 40 years should get an X-ray of the Breast, also known as Mammography once a year. This will help identify precancerous lesions or lumps less than 1cm and treat them early.

Early stage Breast cancers can be treated with surgery in the form of Breast Conservation therapy in which the lump with a cm of normal breast tissue along with Lymph nodes from the armpit is removed which is followed by radiation therapy to the remaining Breast. This treatment is completely safe and can help cure Breast cancer.

Patients can avoid mutilating surgeries like mastectomy or complete removal of Breast if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage.

Patients can also avoid toxic chemotherapy leading to hair fall and weakness if cancer is detected at an early stage.

Breast cancer is also preventable if women maintain healthy lifestyle in the form of regular exercise and eat a healthy diet. This will prevent Obesity which is a known risk factor for Breast cancer and many other cancers in the body.

There is an unmet need to spread awareness about the most common but easily preventable and curable cancer among women.