Breast Cancer is Curable

Have you ever examined your breast? If not, examine  yourself today. Any painless lump in the breast can be cancerous, but it doesn’t need you to get scared.

Breast cancer diagnosed at an early stage is curable completely in 95% of cases, but in our society people are ashamed and scared to reveal their breast-related problems which leads to advancement of the disease. Early consultation with your tumor specialist can increase the chances of tumor treatment with better outcomes.

Females after puberty, need regular self-examination of their breasts to look for- 

• Any lump which is painless or increasing in size
• Any discharge from nipple (except lactation)
• Any recent nipple retraction which is not returning back to its normal position
• Any generalized breast pain
• Any mass felt in armpit

Many females may not feel any lump at the time of examination, but sometime they may notice pain or bleeding after trauma from children’s head or teeth during lactation.

If any of the above condition is found, they should immediately consult a doctor specialist in cancer treatment.

People with family history of breast, ovary or uterus cancer have higher risk of breast cancer and should get their screening done regularly after onset of puberty. Other risk factor for breast cancer are:

• Hereditary (history of breast or ovarian cancer).
• Long term use of oral contraceptives.
• Obesity & high fatty diet.
• Early onset of menstrual cycle or late menopause.
• Nulliparity.
• History of cancer in another breast.

Breast cancer is curable

Treatment for breast cancer depends mainly on stage of disease and aggressive management for early cancer might lead to a normal life. Early breast cancer can be treated with surgery alone or along with some additional chemotherapy. Even in surgical management, disfiguring surgery in form of total breast removal is not mandatory these days. Breast conservation can be achieved with equal oncological outcome in all early stages of cancer with good cosmetic results provided done by experts. Breast conservation surgery is a boon because patients maintain integrity of their self-esteem and body image. They can wear normal dresses and can lead normal life after breast conservation surgery being in regular follow up with their cancer specialist surgeon.