'Early diagnosis best cure for breast cancer'

A gynaecologist by profession, Dr Rathore knew immediately that the painless lump that she found in one of her breasts was cancer. “Despite being a doctor, the news did not go very well with me. I was devastated as the cancer was not in its initially stage,” she said.

Dr Vibha was found to be suffering from stage II of breast cancer and she had to undergo chemotherapy. “It was very painful, I lost all my hair during the treatment process, which lasted for two years. But I successfully completed the treatment, which was like a rebirth,” recalled Dr Vibha.

She now wants to spread the message that breast cancer is curable disease if diagnosed early. “Every woman who is over 20 should do a breast self examination (BSE) and check their underarm and the region below their neck. If an unusual lump is felt, they should undergo immediate checkup,” she suggested.

She added that every breast cancer patient has different types of treatment, and it is always best to ask for all the treatments available and choose the best as per the patient’s requirement.

Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre (MSCC) and Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital will conduct a month-long breast cancer awareness campaign.

Speaking at the launch of the Breast Cancer Unit at MSCC, Prof Anthony V Pais, Chief of the Unit said: “The prevalence of breast cancer has risen over the years due to increased consumption of sweet and meat among women. Compared to the west, breast cancer occurs a decade earlier with younger women being diagnosed breast cancer.”