Did you know that every four minutes a woman in India is being diagnosed with breast cancer? According to the National Cancer Registry, one in 29 women were likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer which is also the most common cancer among women in India.
With October being designated as breast cancer awareness month or the Pink Month, it’s not just the worrying rise in cancer cases that needs to be addressed but also the lower post cancer survival rates in India as compared to the West.
As per the Indian Council of Medical Research, cancer projections for 2021-2025 are alarming with an increase from 26.7 million in 2021 to 29.8 million in 2025 from. Nearly two lakh breast cancer cases are diagnosed every year and, with oral, breast and cervical cancers being the most common in the country, the key is on awareness, early diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking about the need for breast cancer awareness, breast surgeon Dr. Swathi Prakash of Rela Hospitals, stated, “Nearly 60% of breast cancer cases in India are diagnosed at stage III or IV of the disease. Most patients present to the healthcare facility only when there is a large palpable mass or secondary changes that are visible.
Majority of our patients are younger in age and come with advanced disease along with unaffordability of therapy. This leads to a poor overall outcome.”
Hospitals today offer advanced treatment and surgeries, including oncoplastic breast surgery, which allows for breast conservation for many patients and gives them confidence and positive psychological reinforcement.
But in order for these advanced therapies to deliver the best results, it is critical to create breast cancer awareness among women right from a young age, stated oncologists.
Further, there are numerous myths that exist in society which need to be broken. Firstly, breast cancer can affect any woman even if there is no family history of breast cancer.
Secondly, even young girls can be diagnosed with breast cancer; it is not age-specific or related to just married women. Thirdly, having children and breastfeeding doesn’t prevent breast cancer as is believed by some. Fourthly, men can also get breast cancer. Men have less breast tissue than women but can get this disease.
The stigma associated with breast cancer (like the concerns with physical changes, mastectomy, sexual relationship, etc) along with the fear of becoming a financial burden on the family prevent many women from seeking treatment in the early stages.
“Breast cancer awareness campaigns help reduce the stigma associated with the disease. Breast cancer awareness drives advocacy efforts, improved access to screening and treatment, and support for patients and survivors is important. Women should also do a breast self-examination each month as this is the best protection. Survival rates are good when treated at early stages,” added Dr. Swathi Prakash.
Today, many breast cancer survivors are serving as inspiration to other patients in their cities. Take breast cancer survivor and veterinarian, Dr Asha Rajini, from Chennai. She started running marathons at the age of 61 and has won medals at national competitions in running in her age bracket post her treatment.
She has been spreading the message that women can get treated successfully for breast cancer in the early stages and lead a very normal life. With October being breast cancer awareness month, the message is clear from doctors that awareness is important and regular health check-ups can not only increase survival rates but also lead to a better quality of life.
How to do a breast self-examination:
You can do the self-exam standing up or lying down. Remove your bra. Use your left hand to examine the right breast and vice-versa. Use the pads of your three middle fingers to press gently on every part of the breast – use medium and firm pressure. Press in a circular motion also. Feel for lumps or thick spots. Then check the tissue closest to your armpit with your three middle fingers. Check for bleeding from the areola (nipple) and in the mirror, check for any visible changes. If you have any concerns see a gynaecologist immediately.
Latha Srinivasan is a senior journalist based in Chennai.