<p>October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month worldwide. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps and chalk out a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Even though most women are aware of the prevalence of this disease, their lack of initiative to visit the doctor regularly and get screened may bring them closer to the condition.<br /><br />Today, in India, 1 in 22 women in cites and 1 in 60 women in rural areas suffer from breast cancer and accounts for about 25% to 33% of all cancers in women.The incidence is rapidly rising, amounting to a significant percentage of all cancers in women. Only 5 to 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary. This can be found running in first degree relatives like mother, grandmother, aunt, cousins and sisters. <br /><br />Experts believe, rest 90% can be totally prevented through regular screening tests.<br />Our reports have observed that most of the detections amongst women are a result of laid back attitude and negligence towards one’s health. Breast cancer is many a times curable if detected at an early stage. Every woman must learn a monthly self-assessment procedure, which is quick and very simple do. She can do it once a month after her bath. This can pick small abnormalities and make her alert of any unusual changes in her breast.<br /><br />Symptoms<br /><br />* Painless lump, particularly if it does not move inside the breast* Skin on top of the breast is wrinkled and seems pitted or dimply<br />* Nipple gets taken inside (retracted) <br />* Any blood stained discharge coming out of the nipple<br />* Fixed and hard lumps in armpits <br />Risk factors<br />* First child birth after 30 years<br />* Early onset of periods and late menopause<br />* Breast feeding for a short duration (less than 1 year)<br />* Consumption of oral contraceptive<br />* Obesity<br />* Alcohol consumption <br />* Stress <br /><br />Prevention<br /><br />* Regular examination: <br />Self exam yours breasts and armpits once every month. You may take your doctors instructions on how to go about doing that. Undergo a clinical breast exam with sono-mammography once in two years, especially after 30 years of age. After 40 years of age, undergo these tests atleast once a year. However, your gynaecologist is the best person to chalk out the most appropriate screening schedule, considering your risk factors. <br /><br />* Avoid hormone replacement therapy: <br /><br />Hormone replacement therapy taken during menopause increases the risk for breast cancer. If one must take hormones to manage menopausal symptoms, avoid the ones that contain progesterone. It’s advisable to limit their use to less than three years. <br /><br />* Breast feed for longer duration:<br /><br />Breastfeeding can lower breast cancer risk, especially if it continues for longer than 1 year. When women do not breastfeed, engorgement and inflammation causes changes in breast tissue that may increase risk of breast cancer. <br /><br />* Watch your weight: <br /><br />Being overweight or obese increases the risk. This is especially relevant after menopause and weight gain during adulthood. The increased risk is because more estrogen is made in fatty tissue. Get moving. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which in turn, will help in preventing breast cancer. <br /><br />* Avoid smoking: <br /><br />People who smoked for over 10 years are 16% more likely than non-smokers to develop breast cancer. Long-term exposure to passive or second hand smoke may also increase the risk.<br /><br /><em>(The writer is a preventive healthcare expert)</em></p>
<p>October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month worldwide. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps and chalk out a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Even though most women are aware of the prevalence of this disease, their lack of initiative to visit the doctor regularly and get screened may bring them closer to the condition.<br /><br />Today, in India, 1 in 22 women in cites and 1 in 60 women in rural areas suffer from breast cancer and accounts for about 25% to 33% of all cancers in women.The incidence is rapidly rising, amounting to a significant percentage of all cancers in women. Only 5 to 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary. This can be found running in first degree relatives like mother, grandmother, aunt, cousins and sisters. <br /><br />Experts believe, rest 90% can be totally prevented through regular screening tests.<br />Our reports have observed that most of the detections amongst women are a result of laid back attitude and negligence towards one’s health. Breast cancer is many a times curable if detected at an early stage. Every woman must learn a monthly self-assessment procedure, which is quick and very simple do. She can do it once a month after her bath. This can pick small abnormalities and make her alert of any unusual changes in her breast.<br /><br />Symptoms<br /><br />* Painless lump, particularly if it does not move inside the breast* Skin on top of the breast is wrinkled and seems pitted or dimply<br />* Nipple gets taken inside (retracted) <br />* Any blood stained discharge coming out of the nipple<br />* Fixed and hard lumps in armpits <br />Risk factors<br />* First child birth after 30 years<br />* Early onset of periods and late menopause<br />* Breast feeding for a short duration (less than 1 year)<br />* Consumption of oral contraceptive<br />* Obesity<br />* Alcohol consumption <br />* Stress <br /><br />Prevention<br /><br />* Regular examination: <br />Self exam yours breasts and armpits once every month. You may take your doctors instructions on how to go about doing that. Undergo a clinical breast exam with sono-mammography once in two years, especially after 30 years of age. After 40 years of age, undergo these tests atleast once a year. However, your gynaecologist is the best person to chalk out the most appropriate screening schedule, considering your risk factors. <br /><br />* Avoid hormone replacement therapy: <br /><br />Hormone replacement therapy taken during menopause increases the risk for breast cancer. If one must take hormones to manage menopausal symptoms, avoid the ones that contain progesterone. It’s advisable to limit their use to less than three years. <br /><br />* Breast feed for longer duration:<br /><br />Breastfeeding can lower breast cancer risk, especially if it continues for longer than 1 year. When women do not breastfeed, engorgement and inflammation causes changes in breast tissue that may increase risk of breast cancer. <br /><br />* Watch your weight: <br /><br />Being overweight or obese increases the risk. This is especially relevant after menopause and weight gain during adulthood. The increased risk is because more estrogen is made in fatty tissue. Get moving. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which in turn, will help in preventing breast cancer. <br /><br />* Avoid smoking: <br /><br />People who smoked for over 10 years are 16% more likely than non-smokers to develop breast cancer. Long-term exposure to passive or second hand smoke may also increase the risk.<br /><br /><em>(The writer is a preventive healthcare expert)</em></p>
