Stay aware, stay safe

Anika ParasharCOO, Fortis La Femme, DelhiAssociated with a woman's femininity, breasts enhance her essence as a woman and her sense of nurturing as a mother. This explains why the statistics for Indian women being diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer are dismal in comparison with the number who are finally detected with later stages of the disease. Breast cancer usually starts off in the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply them with milk. A malignant tumour can spread to other parts of the body and cause further damage.

Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. The genes are in each cell's nucleus, which acts as the "control room" of each cell. Normally, the cells in our bodies replace themselves through an orderly process of cell growth; healthy new cells take over as old ones die out. But over time, mutations can "turn on" certain genes and "turn off" others in a cell. That changed cell gains the ability to divide without control or order, producing more cells just like it and forming a tumour. Ten things women need to know about breast cancer are quite simple.

1) Know your breasts, the feel and look of them, and hence, a monthly self-examination is the key.

2) Breast self-examination should be done immediately after your periods and if you notice any mass, lump, retraction or discharge from nipples or an uneven size of the breasts, you must consult a physician immediately.

3) The risk factor increases when you have a family history of a breast carcinoma.

4) Apart from the family history, there are other factors such as getting older, benign breast problems, early exposure to ionising radiation, having children later in life or not at all, lack of exercise and drinking alcohol.

5) All women above 40 should have an annual mammography. Early stage of breast cancer is completely treatable and hence early detection is the key to follow.

6) All breast cancers are not the same. Some grow early, some grow fast, and hence, the prognosis for all is not the same. Breast awareness can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer, so be breast aware.

7) There are also a few other concerns which often come handy with breast cancer. Nutritional status and dietary intake play a significant role in the prognosis of breast cancer patients and may modify progression of the disease, as well as influence risk for comorbid conditions, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

8) Some other common late effects that can trigger breast cancer include an early menopause, emotional distress and depression, fatigue or insomnia (trouble sleeping), fear of recurrence, sexuality and intimacy issues.