According to Latest news updates, The month of October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this month several activities are conducted worldwide to spread awareness about breast cancer, its risk factors, causes, treatment, diagnosis and much more. Breast cancer now affects a substantial percentage of women. Early detection is critical for effective treatment. It gives a patient a better chance to live. In some cases, it may spread to men, although they are more unlikely than women are to get this disease. Therefore, we are all supposed to know our odds of contracting breast cancer. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we held discussions with various specialists regarding the value of breast cancer awareness, the risk group and ways of risk reduction.
Breast cancer awareness month: Know your risk
According to WHO, breast cancer awareness month helps to increase the attention and support for awareness, early detection, treatment and palliative care of breast cancer.
Dr. Vishesh.Gumdal explains, “Early detection of breast cancer remains crucial to improve the survival rate as lower-stage cancers have higher survival rates. It is crucial to get breast cancer checked early to support better treatment. Breast cancer at an early stage is treatable and women should consult their doctors in case of any suspicion of breast cancer like a lump in the breast, discharge from the nipple etc.”
“With majority of deaths due to breast cancer coming from low and middle-income countries due to hurdles like late diagnosis and other social barriers to access the health care system, it becomes even more imperative to highlight the importance of awareness not just among women but to everyone at a community level,” adds Dr. Gumdal.
Should you be concerned?
Dr. P.K. Julka says that these risk factors include age, race, social class as well as economic standing. In other words, it is prevalent among elderly women. For instance, a woman who stands to be 50 years or above is
‘Dr Julka says various risk factors like genetic, environmental, hormonal, nutritional and socio-economic can lead to breast cancer’, states a doctor on doctor NDTV. “These risk factors can be classified as being under biological control and
However home breast self-examination is needed to investigate any symptom. It is very important for every woman to make a test at home; and if there is the least suspicion of symptoms, she should seek professional intervention at once. Mammography should be administered at least twice within two years to women because they are at high risks.
Tackling the challenges of breast cancer.
However, there are some behaviors and life habits that can be altered in order to lower one’s likelihood of getting breast cancer like reducing alcohol intake/abstinence, following a balanced diet, engaging in physical exercises.
By eating in balance, i.e. reducing calorie intake, and increasing level of physicality, a woman can cut down cancer risks associated with being overweight. High Physical Activity Linked with Reduced Breast Cancer Risk. “To achieve a healthy weight, the American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week,” says.
