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Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India and worldwide, and the leading cause of cancer deaths in urban India. In the United States, nearly 90% of women with breast cancer survive for more than five years because the disease is detected early.
In contrast, in India, one in two women diagnosed with breast cancer dies from the disease. This is mainly because most cases are detected at an advanced stage, nearly 60% of breast cancers in India present at stage 3 or 4.The good news is that early breast cancer is both treatable and curable. Most hospitals in India have the capability to treat early-stage breast cancer effectively. Stage 0 and stage 1 breast cancers have nearly a 100% cure rate.
Early signs to look for
Recognizing the early signs of breast cancer can make all the difference. The symptoms are often silent and painless, which is why they are sometimes overlooked. Some of the early warning signs include:
- Painless lumps in the breast or armpit
- Change in the size or shape of one breast
- Thickening, dimpling, or redness of the skin
- Change in the position or shape of the nipple
- Redness or rash around the nipple
- Bloody or clear, watery discharge from one nipple
These changes should never be ignored. Early medical evaluation is key to detecting breast cancer before it progresses.How to Perform a Breast Self-Examination (SBE).Every woman should make self-breast examination a monthly habit, ideally a few days after her menstrual cycle ends.
Here’s how to do it:
- Look: Stand in front of a mirror with shoulders straight and hands on hips. Look for changes in size, shape, or color.
- Raise your arms: Lift both arms and check for changes in contour, dimpling, or swelling.
- Check for discharge: Look for any fluid from one or both nipples watery, milky, or bloody.
- Feel while lying down: Use your right hand to feel your left breast and vice versa, moving your fingers in small circular motions to cover the entire area from collarbone to abdomen and armpit to cleavage.
- Feel while standing or sitting: Many women find it easier in the shower when the skin is wet and slippery.
If you notice any new lumps, dimples, or changes, see a doctor without delay.
Three-pronged approach for early detection
A simple and consistent screening routine can save lives. Here’s what every woman should do:
- Self-Breast Examination: Once a month after the age of 25
- Clinical Breast Examination: Once a year or every two years after the age of 30
- Mammogram: Every one to two years after the age of 40
Mammograms can detect breast cancer even before it can be felt even by a doctor. Countries with regular breast screening programs, such as the UK and many European nations, have successfully reduced breast cancer mortality by up to 30%.We can beat breast cancer through early detection. Awareness of early symptoms, regular self-examination, and timely screening are the best tools to protect women’s lives. Early detection not only improves the chances of cure but can completely change the outcome of the disease.Dr. Rupa Ananthasivan, Consultant, Radiology, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road
English (US) ·