The fear about cancer is not unjustified. The deadliest, the most feared and ‘The Emperor of All Maladies” – these perfectly sum up the disease. We often talk about how we can safeguard ourselves against many diseases. In other words, we can prevent many diseases and stay healthy by following a simple ‘health and care’ routine. The question is, is there any way to prevent cancer? Good news is ‘YES’.
In this blog, we will discuss breast cancer. Dr. Arnab Gupta, a renowned surgical oncologist and the director at Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre and Research Institute, says that cancer cases are increasing at a worrying pace throughout the world. “In the next 5 years, 1 out of 4 persons will get cancer”, he adds. Dr Gupta insists that despite the gruesome statistics, people should not be panicking. Is there any way out? He insists that 40-50% of cancer is preventable through a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Gupta reiterates that in any type of cancer, early diagnosis is the most important factor for long-time survival. If cancer is detected in the 1st stage, there is 90-100% chance of complete recovery and 5-year survival.
What Causes Breast Cancer?
Dr. Gupta says that oncologists are still in the dark about what actually causes breast cancer. However, they have identified the following risk factors for the disease:
Age: Aged people are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer. The risk is less in women under 40 and almost nil in those under 20.
Gender: Breast cancer is more common in women. However, 1 in every 100 men will get the disease.
Contraceptive Pill: Using contraceptive pills for a long time may cause breast cancer.
Late Marriage: Getting married or having children after 40 increases the risk for breast cancer. Women having no children are also at a higher risk for the disease.
Not Breastfeeding: The women, who don’t breastfeed their babies’, are believed to have a higher chance of developing breast cancer.
Food Habit: Low-carb diet, regular intake of junk food and not taking fruits increase your chance of getting breast cancer.
Genetic Factor: Breast cancer could be genetic. For example, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie got her breasts removed in 2013 as she was at increased risk of breast cancer due to her family history.
What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer symptoms are almost common in men and women. A lump is the commonest symptom of breast cancer. If you feel a lump in your breast or under the armpit, it could be a malignant tumour. Most of the malignant tumours don’t cause pain in the earlier stages. The cancerous lumps grow in size over time, sometimes very quickly.
In addition to lump, any change in the size of the breasts or dimpling or redness in any breast could also be the symptoms of breast cancer.
Nipple discharge, nipple retraction or any change in the shape/size of nipple are some other breast cancer symptoms.
Final Words
Breast cancer is a curable disease with almost 100% survival rate if diagnosed in the 1st stage. Dr. Gupta adds that having any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have cancer but it’s important to visit the best breast cancer treatment hospital in Kolkata hospital for check-up. Self-breast check-up once in a month is equally important to detect the disease in the most primary stage.