Breast Cancer Awareness: Crucial Symptoms, Types, And Causes Every Woman Must Know

According to studies, the Global average of Breast cancer is 5,00,000 cases per year and India contributes nearly 5% of that. There was almost a 50% rise in incidence between 1965 and 1985. These data are quite alarming for all the women. Scroll down to learn about the symptoms, types and causes every woman must know. 

What Is Breast Cancer?

According to the World Health Organisation, Breast cancer is a disease in which breast cells grow abnormally and tumour. If left unchecked, the tumours can spread throughout the body and become deadly.

Dr Sachin Ambekar Director of Minimal Access Surgery & Surgical Oncology at MASSH Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi said, “Approximately 7% of women with breast cancer are diagnosed before the age of 40 years.”

Symptoms Of Breast Cancer

According to the American Cancer Journal, one of the most common symptoms of breast cancer is the formation of a new lump or mass. However, not all breast lumps are an indication of cancer. Breast cancer lumps are soft, round, tender and painful. Here are the other possible symptoms of Breast cancer: 

• Breast or nipple pain
• Nipple retraction
• Nipple Discharge
• Swelling of all parts of a breast 
• Swollen lymph node 
• Red, dry, flaking, or thickened breast skin
• Skin Dimpling

Causes Of Breast Cancer

According to WHO, 99% of breast cancer (how to prevent cancer in women) occurs in women and 0.5-1% of breast cancer occurs in men. There are certain factors which increase the risk of breast cancer in women which include increasing age, obesity, alcohol consumption, family history of breast cancer, radiation exposure, and smoking. However, most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a known family history of the disease. Thus, a lack of family history doesn’t mean you can’t get this disease. 

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Treatment Of Breast Cancer

According to the World Health Organisation, treatment for breast cancer (a guide to cervical cancer) depends on the type of cancer and how much it is spread outside of the breast. As per the patient's condition and stage of the cancer, doctors combine several treatments to minimise the chances of it coming back. Here are the treatments available for Breast cancer:

• Surgery to remove breast tumour
• Radiation Therapy 
• Medications to kill cancer cells

Breast disease is still a social taboo and stigma and we need awareness campaigns for the same. 

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