Breast cancer can affect any person of any age or gender. So, every person has a basic risk of developing cancer: Rather no person, man or woman, young or old, irrespective of family history can develop this disease although it is more common is specific groups of people.
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Am I at risk?
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How common is breast cancer?
It is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. In fact, it is now the most common cancer overall even surpassing lung cancer with an estimated 2.3 million new cases in 2020. It is known to affect 1 in 8 women in the western countries whereas in India, the incidence is around 1 in 25 women.
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What are the red flag signs of breast cancer?
The following changes in a person’s breast should alert them to visit a breast specialist doctor:
- Lump in either breast or armpit
- Asymmetry of the breasts or nipple
- Breast skin dimpling, ulcer, redness or thickening
- Non milk nipple discharge especially blood stained
- Nipple inversion/retraction or scaling or ulceration
- Abnormal findings on a routine/screening mammogram
- Pain, loss of appetite, loss of weight or generalised weakness may also be present in few cases.
How would you notice these changes?All ladies should perform breast self examination atleast once a month a few days after their period.
First, you should see your breasts and armpits in front of a mirror with your arms by your side, then with your arms above the head (for the under bust area) and lastly with the hands pressed against hips.
The next step should be feeling your breasts systematically (in a circular motion or up and down or radially) covering all areas of the breast and armpit to discover any change. This should be done standing and in lying down position with the opposite hand. So, for example while feeling the left breast, use your right hand and keep the left hand raised above your head.
It is important to know that breast should be examined by the flat of your fingers and not by bunching them together.
The exam should end with pinching your nipples to look for any discharge.
This is a schematic diagram to guide you through the examination and we will be adding a link to a video soon.
If you feel any change in the feel of your breasts or any of the above mentioned changes, do not panic but please visit a doctor preferably a breast specialist.
Every breast lump is not cancer but it is important to get evaluated.
It is also necessary to remember that pain in the breasts is not necessary to indicate cancer, in fact most commonly, the malignant lumps are painless, so do not wait for pain to get alarmed.
Mastalgia or breast pain is quite common and more often that not, indicative of a benign (non cancerous) condition.
If you have undergone a routine mammogram without any symptoms, please visit a breast specialist if the radiologist has reported any suspicious finding. We will discuss whether screening mammograms are routinely indicated in another section.