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Who cares about Cancer?
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Awareness and preventive health care go a long way in combating breast cancer
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YOUR HEALTH in your hands
When Janaki walked in on her mother Jalaja changing, she was horrified to see a large lump on her chest.
She forced her mother to the doctor and the diagnosis was devastating — breast cancer. Out of a combination of embarrassment, fear, ignorance and excruciating shyness, Jalaja had not told anyone about it.
There are many Jalajas out there who would rather die than talk about something as intimate as abnormalities on their breasts. And that has to change.
What is breast cancer?
An abnormal or uncontrolled growth of cells in the breast forms a lump.
This occurs in the area of the breast or in the armpit area and could be malignant. It is advisable to consult a doctor immediately on detecting a lump. While all lumps are not cancerous, only a clinical test can tell the difference. Early detection is the best form of prevention.
What are the symptoms?
A lump in the breast or surrounding area
Skin irritation, discolouration and inflammation
Dimpling
Pain or retraction of the nipple
Discharge from the nipple
What are the tests to detect breast cancer?
Mammogram - It is a special kind of an X-Ray where the breast is pressed between two plates.
A radiologist interprets the results. A mammogram can detect a lump before it can be physically detected. The chances of effecting a cure are much better when the lump is small. The entire procedure takes not more than 15 minutes. The mammogram is normally a painless procedure.
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) If the mammogram reveals any abnormality, then FNAC is undertaken. This involves the insertion of a thin needle into the lump to withdraw fluid from it. This is tested for cancer. The FNAC has the same discomfort factor as an injection.
If the FNAC turns up negative, then a Trucut biopsy is undertaken. If that is also inconclusive, then Excision biopsy is done.
Prevention
Early detection is the key. Breast self-examination should start at the age of 18. Early detection means one can avoid the trauma of having the breast removed (Mastectomy).
Surgery and radiation and chemotherapy with their attendant discomforts can also be avoided.
Sadly, there is no systematic screening programme for breast cancer in our country. For example, the American Cancer Society Guidelines says all women over 40 should have annual mammogram and clinical examination. However, here, even access to a mammogram is difficult.
Some truths you should know
Mammograms do not spread cancer
While you are at higher risk of having breast cancer if any of your first degree relative (grandmother, mother, sister) have had cancer, it is not necessary that you will get cancer.
However, it is advised that you should have a mammogram five years before the age of their diagnosis.
Breast cancer is not a communicable disease
(Information for the article came in from Dr. N.R. Tulasi, Head of Department, Radiation, Oncology, GKNM Hospital; Dr. P. Guhan, Dean, Oncology Department Ramakrishna Hospital and the Coimbatore Cancer Foundation.)
Did you know_?
Every three minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer
Every 13 minutes, a woman dies of breast cancer It accounts for 20% of the total cancer-related diseases in India and is largely prevalent among urban women.
Presently, 75,000 new cases occur in Indian women every year.
Over the course of a lifetime, one in 22 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
( Source: http://women.indiatimes.com)
Who is most susceptible to breast cancer?
Those who have had early menses (before the age of 12)
Those who have late menopause (after the age of 50)
Those who have not had children
Those who have had children after the age of 40
Patients with a positive family history of breast cancer are at increased risk for developing thedisease.
However, all those who are diagnosed with breast cancer may not necessarily have a family history.
Cancer Awareness Programmes
The Deepam project spearheaded by the Oncology Department of the Ramakrishna Hospital conducts regular cancer screening camps. Mammogram tests are carried out every Saturday at highly subsidised rates. Test results are immediately referred to attending oncologists and further treatment, if required, is recommended and followed up. For details, call Dr. Chitra at 94430-43881.
The Coimbatore Cancer Foundation, GKNM Hospital, provides free counselling. Patients and family members wanting to know more about breast cancer and how to cope with it can call 0422-2216211.
The GKNM Hospital has launched a Women Wellness Programme to disseminate information that are of concern to women and make available to them important preventive and screening health services. Special packages for high-risk women and those over 40 are recommended. Several other packages are specially tailored for different requirements. For details, contact Mythili at 0422-4305373.
Other hospitals in the city also offer similar tests and health services for women.
PANKAJA SRINIVASAN
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