Breast cancer overtakes cervical cancer as No 1

It may well be a wake-up call for all women in the country, as breast cancer is rapidly becoming the number one cancer pushing the cervical cancer to the second spot. Also, while the latter can be prevented, breast cancer can not be prevented in majority of cases, leaving its early detection the only way to cure the deadly cancer.

While the recent figures of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has reported that one in 22 women in the country is likely to suffer from breast cancer during her lifetime, a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has projected that country would witness around 2,50,000 new cases of deadly cancer by 2015.

It is to be mentioned that even as the discerning figures are enough to indicate the gravity of the situation, health experts in the region seem to be more worried about the lack of awareness for prevalence as well as early detection of the breast cancer.

There is general lack of awareness about early signs and symptoms of breast cancer especially in the rural areas, said AK Khanna, head, department of General Surgery, Banaras Hindu University while talking to TOI on Saturday. Another problem with preventing breast cancer is that there is no one cause that can be pinpointed for its existence. It, therefore is important to spread awareness of the prevalence of the cancer and advice women on undertaking self-breast examination (SBE), he added.

Sharing the problems associated with breast cancer, Khanna said it usually does not cause pain or show any symptoms in its early stages. Even, the lump in the breast does not cause pain and women usually do not bother about this lump. It is a very crucial stage, and women especially middle aged women must visit a doctor, once the lump formation takes place in the breast, he added.

Referring to recent studies that have shown that majority of the breast lump in the young women are not cancerous, he said that only 10 per cent of breast lumps are cancerous, but even then women should consult a doctor in case of a lump formation. It is the best way for early detection of breast cancer and once it is detected, it can be cured by surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal treatment, he said.

To generate awareness, the department of General Surgery, BHU is going to organise continuing medical education (CME) programme on breast cancer on Sunday.

At a glance -

1. Breast cancer is rapidly becoming the number one cancer in women in the country; cervical cancer stands second

2. One in 22 women in India is likely to suffer from breast cancer during her lifetime.

3. There would be around 2,50,000 new cases of breast cancer in India by 2015

4. The average age of the high risk group in India is between 43 and 46 years, while in the West women aged 53 to 57 years are more prone to breast cance.

5. Only one in 10 lumps (10 per cent) in the breast is cancerous.

Early detection techniques -

1. Self-breast examination (SBE), that involves detecting lump in the breast and consulting the doctor

2. Physical examination by the doctor, also called palpation.

3. Thermography, involves detection through temperature and heat variations

4. Mammography and ultrasound, exposure to radiation involving technical equipment of high standard

5. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) and biopsy

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com