Be Aware, Stay Safe!

Around the globe, October is a month of festivals and fairs, but we hardly realize that it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is an annual campaign to increase awareness regarding the disease. Breast cancer is basically the uncontrolled growth of cells, which results in formation of lumps within the breast. If not detected early, it can be a life threatening disease as it can also spread to other parts of the body. 

Breast Cancer is a global disease. Due to increase in life expectancy, increase urbanization and the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles, the number of cases across the globe is rising manifold and many young women are getting affected. In low- and middle-income countries the incidence has been rising up steadily in the last few years mainly because of lack of awareness and screening.

National Cancer Control Programmes

In India, this disease accounts for 25% to 31% of all cancers in women. In fact, a recent study of breast cancer risk in India revealed that one in 28 women develops breast cancer during her lifetime. This is higher in urban areas (one in 22) compared to rural areas, where the risk is lower at one in 60 women. The average age of developing breast cancer has also undergone a significant shift from 50 - 70 years to 30 - 50 years. 

A national cancer control programme is a public health programme designed to reduce the number of cancer cases and deaths and improve quality of life of cancer patients, through prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and palliation, making the best use of available resources.

The reason for such a rapid increase in the cases in India is that Breast cancer is still considered as a nonexistent entity by a majority of population, specifically in rural areas. Even in major cities, screening is also an 'alien' word for most people.

Be aware of symptoms

• Change in size and shape of breast
• Any lump or thickening in breast
• Redness or rash on/around the nipple
• Discharge (liquid) from the nipple
• Constant pain in breast or armpit
• Change in skin texture
• Inverted (pulled in) nipple or change in its position/shape

Prevention is better than cure

• Self examine your breasts. If you feel any change, then consult the doctor. 
• It is advisable for women who are around 40 to get their mammography done. Mammography is a  simple radiographic technique, which helps in detecting irregularities in the breast tissue.
• Addition of vegetables and fruits in your diet helps in maintaining a healthy body weight.
• For new mothers, it is advisable to breastfeed their child at least for one year. 
• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol in excess.

 Following myths to ignore about breast cancer

•  A lump in your breast means you have breast cancer- Only a small percentage of lumps in the breast are cancerous. But if there is a persistent lump in the breast or any change in the breast tissue, always consult a doctor for a clinical breast exam.

• If you have a family history of breast cancer, you will develop breast cancer, too- Only around 10% of individuals having breast cancer have a family history of this disease. Most women who are diagnosed with cancer have no family history.

• A mammogram can cause spread of breast cancer- A mammogram or X-ray of breast helps in early detection of breast cancer. It requires a very small dose of radiation. The risk of harm from this radiation is extremely low.

• Breast cancer is contagious- Breast cancer neither can be caught from someone nor can be transferred to someone. It is a non-communicable disease, which results from uncontrolled cell growth of the breast tissue.

An urgent need exists, therefore, to raise awareness about screening for breast cancer because the best protection is the early detection.

Be aware, be safe, and be healthy!

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