How Can We Tackle Rising Cases Of Young Women Getting Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer, a cancer arising from the breast, is the most common cancer in India and the most common cancer in females. As per the GLOBOCAN DATA 2022, the incidence of new cases in 2022 was about 1,92,020 cases. In the world, it is the second most common cause of cancer while among females it is still the most common cancer.

Rising Concerns Over Fit Women Getting Cancer

Globally, 23,08,897 cases of breast cancer have been diagnosed. Also, both males and females are susceptible to breast cancer though lesser incidence in males as compared to females. Breast cancer detection at an early stage helps to increase the cure rates for breast cancer. One has to be mindful of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. For the early diagnosis being cognizant of the same is imperative for early diagnosis.

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass (although most breast lumps are not cancer). A painless, hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancer, but breast cancers can be also soft, round, tender, or even painful.

Other possible symptoms of breast cancer include

Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is felt)

Skin dimpling (sometimes looking like an orange peel)

Breast or nipple pain

Nipple retraction (turning inward)

Nipple or breast skin that is red, dry, flaking, or thickened

Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)

Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone (Sometimes this can be a sign of breast cancer spreading even before the original tumour in the breast is large enough to be felt.)

If any of the above symptoms if present you should immediately call upon the doctor and get further investigation.

The other way of doing early diagnosis is by doing periodic screening

Screening is looking for signs of disease, such as breast cancer before a person has symptoms. The goal of screening tests is to find cancer at an early stage when it can be treated and may be cured. Sometimes, a screening test finds cancer that is very small or very slow-growing.

Different methods of screening are as follows

1. MAMMOGRAPHY or MRI OF the Breast

2. SELF BREAST EXAMINATION

3. BREAST EXAMINATION BY THE PRACTIONER

Mammogram

A mammogram is an X-ray examination of the breast. It is used to detect and diagnose breast disease in women who have breast problems, such as a lump, pain, or nipple discharge, as well as for women who have no breast complaints. The procedure allows the detection of breast cancers, benign tumours, and cysts before they can be detected by palpation (touch).

It is an important tool in the screening and diagnosis of breast cancer.

MRI OF the Breast

MRI OF THE breast would be recommended in the case of the following situation

If the patient has a predisposition to Breast cancer in view of genetic mutation in BRCA 1&2 and the screening has to be started early at a young age due to dense breast it may be false negative and the breast cancer can be missed.

Self Breast EXAMINATION

Begin with a visual examination of your breasts

Sit or stand shirtless and braless in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides. To inspect your breasts visually, do the following:

Face forward and look for puckering, dimpling, or changes in size, shape or symmetry.

Check to see if your nipples are turned in (inverted).

Inspect your breasts with your hands pressed down on your hips.

Inspect your breasts with your arms raised overhead and the palms of your hands pressed together.

Lift your breasts to see if ridges along the bottom are symmetrical.

If you have a vision impairment that makes it difficult for you to visually inspect your breasts, ask a trusted friend or a family member to help you.

Palpation of Breast

With the flat of the hand try to palpate the breast. Next, check for breast lumps or abnormalities by feeling your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast, and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together.

Recommended Screening Guidelines

The USPSTF recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 40 to 74 years.

Authored by Dr Pritam Kataria, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital