October is breast cancer awareness month, an annual campaign to educate people about breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer. This disease has become a major problem all across the world including India. As an initiative to spread awareness about Breast Cancer, Fortis La Femme Delhi provided me with a complementary breast checkup and an opportunity to have a conversation with Dr Madhu Goel, an expert in the field of Breast Cancer. Dr Goel has been practicing in the field of gynaecology for the last 15 years and is a Sr. Consultant at Fortis La Femme Hospital. She answered all my questions, concerns and more.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells, which results in formation of lumps within the breast. It is one of the treatable forms of cancers. If not detected, it can be a life threatening disease as it can also spread to other parts of the body.
What are the risk factors of Breast Cancer?
Gender: Breast cancer is much the more commoner in females. Out of every 100 cases of breast cancer, only 1 may be in a male.
Age: As the age increases, the chances of developing breast cancer increases.
Family history: If you have relatives or family members with breast cancer, then your chances of suffering are also high. There are certain genes which result in breast cancer if they have mutations in them. These mutated genes can be passed on from the parent to the child
Stress: Stress is a general risk factor that increases chances of developing any cancer.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): This has been realized as an important risk factor. Hormone replacement therapy consists of giving a combination of estrogen and progesterone to relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, loss of sexual desire, etc.
Oral Contraceptives: There is a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer in ladies taking oral contraceptives.
Breast tissue composition: Researchers believe that women with desnse breast tissue have a higher chance of develpoing breast cancer.
Obesity: Obese individuals have a higher incidence of developing breast cancer.
Delayed pregnancy or no pregnancy: Not giving birth to a child puts you at a higher risk of breast cancer. A woman who gives birth to children has a 30% lowered risk than a woman who was never pregnant.
Diet and lifestyle choices: Women who smoke, eat high fat diet, drink alcohol are more at risk of developing breast cancer.
Radiation Exposure: Frequent exposure to X-Rays and CT scans may raise a women’s chance of developing breast cancer.
Oesterogen exposure: Women who started having period’s early or entered menopause later than usual are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer
What are the symptoms of Breast Cancer?
- A new lump or mass, however 80% of lumps are not cancerous.
- A discharge other than breast milk
- Retraction, inward turning of the nipple
- General swelling without a lump
- Redness in the nipple or breast skin
What are the major screening tools to detect Breast Cancer?
Self-examination: Self-examination can be done to check for abnormal or painful lumps. The best time to do this is a week after your menstrual period when the breasts are least lumpy. If you do not have a menstrual period, pick one day each month. To do this, lift one arm and feel the breast on that side for any lumps. Do the same on the other side. It is important to do this regularly-about once a month, so that you know which lumps are normal. If you find lumps that are not usually there or that are painful or tender, contact your doctor for further examination.
Examination by a doctor: A doctor will perform a breast exam to detect any signs of breast cancer.
Mammogram: A Mammogram is a special breast x-ray done on a Mammogram machine. It is the best screening test for reducing the risk of dying from breast cancer. Women above age 40 should have a mammogram done every two years.
Can you suggest some preventive measures that one could take to avoid the risk of Breast Cancer?
Prevention is always better than cure. Some preventive measures that one could take to avoid the risk of breast cancer are:
- It is important to self examine your breasts .Women should be aware as to how their breast normally look and feel. It is advisable for women who are around 40 to get their mammography done.
- Physical activity is important not just to maintain your weight but also to stay fit, which can shield you from various diseases. Regular physical activity and the maintenance of a healthy body wieght, along with a healthy diet, could considerably reduce breast cancer risk.
- Following a healthy diet can benefit you in various ways, keeping a check on numerous illnesses. With constant reports of carcinogens (cancer causing substances) found in commercially processed bread, meat, aerated beverages etc, it only becomes more important now to watch what we eat.
- Breastfeeding can lower breast cancer risk, especially if a woman breastfeeds for a longer period of time, preferably till the new born is at least one year
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol in excess.
- Limit Hormone Therapy
What are some of the myths prevalent regarding breast cancer?
- A lump in your breast means you have breast cancer
- If you have a family history of breast cancer, you will develop breast cancer, too.
- Breast cancer is contagious.
- A mammogram can cause spread of breast cancer.
About Fortis La Femme -Fortis La Femme is a unique facility, inspired by the core belief that a woman is a very special person with special needs. Medical care at the hospital includes Obstetrics (Painless Labor), Gynecology, Neonatology (Level III NICU), Anesthesia, General & Laparoscopic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgeries and Genetic & Fetal Medicine.
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