There are about 1.38 million new cases and 4,58,000 deaths globally from breast cancer each year. If these figures sound alarming, you should know that breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries. Which is why the month of October is globally observed as ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’. This was initiated by the American Cancer Society in 1985 and is now annually observed worldwide.
International health campaigns are organized by major breast cancer charities every year to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer. In honour of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we got in touch with Dr Jyoti Wadhwa, the Director of Medical Oncology at Medanta The Medicity hospital in Gurgaon, to give us insight into what is breast cancer and how it can be prevented and cured.
Hello Doctor. As you’d know, October is celebrated as the breast cancer awareness month. Could you tell us a bit about what exactly is breast cancer and how does it affect women?
Breast cancer involves uncontrolled and unregulated growth of cells in the breast, usually the cells lining the small ducts in breasts. It is not a single entity. Breast cancer can now be categorized into various subtypes based on molecular features. It is number one and the most common cancer affecting women globally. Also, it is the leading cause of death due to cancer in women. Almost 1 in 22 women in India could suffer from breast cancer in their lifetime.
Who all can have breast cancer? Is there any age bracket or any genetic condition which is prone?
Breast cancer can affect anyone, even men! Some people are however more prone to develop breast cancer, based on the presence of certain high-risk factors. These risk factors can be of two types- those that can be modified and others that are non-modifiable. The modifiable risk factors give
us an opportunity to prevent breast cancer to a great extent.
The non-modifiable risk factors include-
• Gender (being a woman)
• Ageing (increasing age)
• Genetic factors (inheritance of mutated or altered genes such as BRCA 1 & 2, PTEN, CHEK2, etc.)
• Family history (of breast, ovarian, prostate and other such cancers)
• Personal history (having been treated already for breast cancer on one side)
• Menstrual history (menarche before age 12, menopause after age 54 years)
• Race
Modifiable risk factors include:
• Not having children
• Increased age at first childbirth
• Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Not breastfeeding
• Alcohol use
• Obesity
• Physical Inactivity
How can women prevent it from happening? What are the basic steps they can take?
There is no sure way to prevent breast cancer. But yes, there is a lot that one can do as an individual to reduce one’s chances of developing breast cancer.
Follow the above mentioned simple suggestions to reduce your risk of getting this disease.
What role does diet and exercise play in it?
A healthy balanced diet and regular physical activity or exercise help one maintain healthy body weight. Obesity especially postmenopausal obesity is linked to increased risk of breast cancer. Thus it makes sense to keep one’s weight within the healthy range.
It is important to increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables for not only cancer prevent, but also for the prevention of heart disease, diabetes, stroke etc. But ensure that you are not consuming fruits, vegetables and grains laden with pesticides.
What can one do if one has a strong family history of breast cancer?
If someone has a positive family history of breast or ovarian or other cancers, one must consult a doctor. Your doctor could then discuss with you various ways that might help lower one’s chances of developing breast cancer and also detecting it early. Some of these ways could be-
- Genetic counselling and testing for finding the genetic mutation (such as BRCA 1 & 2)
- Medicines such as Tamoxifen or Raloxifene to lower breast cancer risk
- Preventive (prophylactic) surgery to remove breasts and/or ovaries
- Close observation and screening to look for early signs of breast cancer
Any advice for our readers on this occasion?
I want to convey that breast cancer is curable if detected early. It is treatable even when it is in the last stage. Very effective treatment of this disease is possible in India with team effort involving medical, radiation and surgical oncologist.
Breast cancer can be detected early by adopting recommended screening tests which include – breast self-examination, clinical breast examination by a doctor, mammogram, US or an MRI of the breast. One must seek medical attention immediately if one notices anything odd in the breast or body. Stay calm, stay positive and never lose hope.
Featured Image Source: Barnsley Council
