Breast cancer - a urban dilemma

One woman dies of cervical cancer every 8 minutes in India.

For every 2 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, one woman dies of it in India.

The exact cause of cancer is not known, research indicates that certain risk factors may increase a person’s chances of developing cancer. These include things people cannot control, like age and family history. “Lifestyle choices that increase your chances of contracting breast cancer are the usual suspects such as smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and poor diet,” says Padma Shri awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Immediate Past National President Indian Medical Association (IMA).

Breast cancer is the commonest cancer affecting women in India. In many parts of the country, it is a taboo - a ‘closet’ issue that is not openly discussed. “Contrary to the western world where breast cancer is common after the age of 50 years, the highest incidence of breast cancer in India is between the ages of 30-50 years; at least a decade earlier! More than 70, 000 women succumb to breast cancer every year - a woman dies of breast cancer every ten minutes in India,” Padma Shri awardee Dr Raghu Ram, founder Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation.

The reason behind an increase in young women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, Dr T. P. S. Bhandari, Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, says, “World over Breast cancer is more aggressive in younger women because of Prolonged Oral Contraceptive usage prior to first full term pregnancy, abortions, lifestyle and dietary habits (smoking, alcohol, junk food etc). But there are steps like healthy diet,  exercises and lifestyle changes to help lower their risk for breast cancer.”

Due to lack of awareness thousands of Indian women do not opt for timely and proper tests and treatment. “One of the first symptoms of breast cancer is formation of lumps in the breast. While many women from not so educated and aware sections of society do not identify lump in breast as a reason enough to see the doctor, those who are aware of the connection between breast lumps and cancer does not realize that in 8 out of 10 cases, lumps in breasts are non-cancerous. For them, breast lump is synonym of breast cancer and they feel it’s the end of their life so do not get it evaluated,” explains Dr Jyoti Arora, associate director, Radiologist, Medanta – the Medicity.

There are about 2.5 million people living with cancer in India and over 7 lakh new cases get registered every year. “Of all the various types of cancer, those of the oral cavity and lungs in males and cervix and breast in females account for about 50 percent  of all related deaths in the country,” says Dr Aggrawal.

FACTS

It's a formation of lumps in the breast 8 out of 10 cases, lumps in breasts are non-cancerous

Cancerous lumps are usually hard to feel and not associated with pain.

The non cancerous lumps can be a cyst formation, a fibro-adenoma which is an abnormal non-cancerous growth, or even may be a temporary feature due to woman's menstrual cycle

TIME TO VISIT A SPECIALIST  

Whenever a female feels a lump, she should visit a breast specialist who will get a mammography and ultrasound done. “If a solid lump is confirmed on imaging, then in most of the cases biopsy would be needed to confirm whether the lump is cancerous or not. While conducting a breast biopsy, a radiologist removes tissue from the suspected area so that it can be tested in the lab for the presence of cancerous cells,” Dr Jyoti Arora.

SCREENING

Timely screening of cancer aids in early detection and successful treatment. “Breast cancer screening involves clinical and self breast examination, mammography, genetic screening, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Screening tests can help in detecting cancer at an early stage, before the onset of symptoms. However, by the time symptoms appear, cancer has already grown and spread, making it harder to treat or cure,”  Dr Shivani Sharma, Pathologist, CORE Diagnostics, New Delhi.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

“Depends on individualized according to stage and age. Chiefly surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal,” says Dr Bhandari.