Breast cancer is the commonest cancer overall in India and also most common cancer in Indian women.

Do you know daily 18 patients diagnosed to have breast cancer in the year 2018 in India?

Daily 10 breast cancer patients losing their life in India.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE AND BEAUTY.

WHO ARE AT HIGHER RISK OF BREAST CANCER?

1. Family history of breast cancer( Parent, sibling and child)
2. Females with history of breast disease
3. Never giving birth to child or those who gave first birth after the age 35 years
4. Females with history of ovarian cancer or family history of ovarian cancer
5. Females who have not breast fed their child
6. Females who had first menstruation before 11 years of age
7. Late menopause( stopping periods) after 55 years of age
8. Obesity or increased weight gain following menopause
9. Prolonged exposure to hormone containing pills.
10. Radiation exposure to breast or chest at younger age
11. Unhealthy lifestyle leads to breast cancer. They are :

• Those who eat high fat diet
• Sedentary life style
• Those who avoid fruits , vegetables and green leafs
• Alcoholic
• Smoker

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS:

1. New lump in the breast or underarm
2. Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
3. Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
4. Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast or skin of breast resembles like orange peel
5. Pulling in the nipple or pain the nipple area
6. Nipple discharge other than breast milk
7. Recent change in size or shape of the breast or nipple
8. Pain in the breast

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISK OF BREAST CANCER?

1. Maintain healthy weight
2. Be active- 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week
3. Don’t consume alcohol
4. Don’t smoke or use of tobacco related products
5. Breast feed your baby adequately
6. Eat well balanced diet
7. Do self breast examination monthly after 20 years of age and screening mammogram annually after 40 years of age
8. Do not take hormone containing pills without medical advice

BREAST SELF EXAMINATION(BSE):

FIVE STEPS:

STEP 1:
Stand in front the mirror with your shoulders straight and arms on hips and look at your breast

• Are they their usual size, shape and colour?
• Is there is any visible distortion and swelling?
• Consult doctor if there is any
• Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin
• Changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of stucking out)
• Redness, rash or swelling of the breast 

STEP 2:

• Now raise your arms and look for the same changes
• Look for any dimpling of skin or in drawing of nipple.

STEP 3:

While you are at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb. Consult doctor if there is nipple discharge other than milk

STEP 4:

• Lie down and use your right hand to feel your left breast and then left hand to feel your right breast.
• Use a firm , smooth touch with the pad of your three middle fingers, keeping finger flat and together.
• Cover your entire breast from top to bottom , side to side from your collar bone to the top of your abdomen and from your armpit to your cleavage.
• Begin at the nipple , moving in larger and larger circle until you reach the outer edge of the breast. Also move your fingertips up and down vertically in rows
• Begin examining each area with a very soft touch and then increase pressure feel the deeper tissues

STEP 5: 

• Feel your breast while you are standing or sitting
• It is easier to feel your breast when their skin is wet and slippery (like while taking bath)
• Cover your entire breast using same hand movements described in step 4.

WHEN TO DO BREAST SELF EXAMINATION?
It can be done at the comfort of your own home.

1. All women more than 20 years of age should do breast self examination every month.
2. Those who are menstruating , it should be done seven days after the menses  have stopped.
3. For postmenopausal women, it can be done one fine day of every month

What is mammography? 

• Mammogram is the low dose X-ray picture of breast.
• It can detect breast cancer even before the detection of lump by palpation.
• It reduces death due to breast cancer by detecting breast cancer early in the age group 40-70 years of age.
• It is recommended for all women above 40 years of age annually and to those women who have high risk of breast cancer.

REMEMBER NOT ALL LUMPS IN THE BREAST ARE CANCER, BUT ANY BREAST LUMP CAN BECOME CANCEROUS.

If breast cancer is detected early, it will be more amenable for better treatment outcomes, breast conservation, breast reconstruction and restoration of your body.