Verified By May 15, 2023
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Each year, more than 80,000 women develop breast cancer in India. Cancer is more common with increasing age but can also occur in younger women. Any lump in the breast or armpit, changes in the breast skin or nipple discharge, can be breast cancer symptoms. On noticing any of these breast cancer symptoms, one should contact the doctor promptly. Breast cancer is curable, if detected early. Let us have a look at how we as individuals can care for ourselves and the women around us.
Most of us may have experienced this feeling and got anxious about breast cancer. Confirming it with a breast cancer specialist or doctor is recommended as breast cancer symptoms can be discrete for some and variable for many.
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Consult the best oncologist in Mumbai for breast cancer symptoms.
A mammogram is an important tool to diagnose breast cancer and other breast conditions. It is a myth that getting it done may lead to breast cancer.
Breast cancer causes are easy to understand through the risk factors-modifiable & non-modifiable
Modifiable implies that these factors can be prevented or taken care of. Let us discuss these in detail.
Non-modifiable factors are those where one cannot do anything to change or modify the risk factor. These include:
How does your doctor confirm breast cancer?
Breast cancer diagnosis is done by a breast cancer surgeon specialising in breast conditions.
Mammogram- A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are the most commonly used method to screen for breast cancer.
Your doctor will examine both of your breasts and for any lymph nodes in the armpit, and other abnormalities to confirm the cause of your breast cancer symptoms.
Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of structures deep within the body. Ultrasound may help distinguish between a solid mass and a fluid-filled cyst. An ultrasound is often performed as part of the examination of a new lump.
*Self-breast examination
Apart from getting screened in mammogram or CBE, please ensure to do regular breast self-examination and do look out for breast cancer symptoms & signs such as:
The treatment of breast cancer is based on multimodality therapy and women with breast cancer have many treatment options.
Breast cancer surgeons surgically remove the cancerous breast tissue. This may involve some part of the breast, the entire breast along with the lymph nodes from the armpit to prevent the cancer from spreading to other areas of the body.
Radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells and tissues. This is done to control the spread of cancer to surrounding normal tissues.
Hormones are given to help stop the growth of cancer cells. These cancer cells become inactive in presence of certain hormones.
Certain medicines are either injected or taken orally to kill the cancer cells and maintain a cancer-free state. This treatment can be started before or after surgery.
Potent medicines are used to specifically target the proteins that make up a cancer cell. These proteins are important for the growth of cancer cells. Destroying these proteins can help stop the spread of cancer.
Consult the best oncologist in Mumbai at Apollo Hospitals.
In conclusion, regular breast cancer screening is important for all women with or without breast cancer symptoms and regardless of their risk factors. A breast cancer surgeon can help you clear all your doubts regarding breast cancer and help you with the best breast cancer treatment.
January 20, 2025