Women especially those in their forties should conduct regular breast self examination and mammography to detect breast cancer cases at early stage said senior consultant Gynaecology and obstetrics Max hospital while addressing newsmen here on Friday. She said that apart from breast cancer women are under threat of cervical and ovarian cancer.
“Women are an integral part of our community and it is observed that they don’t take adequate care of their health. They should be aware of the warning symptoms such as – lump or abnormal discharge from the breasts, pain and distension of abdomen, abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding and bleeding after menopause. Also, annual health check-ups and age-specific cancer screening can detect problems at a pre-cancer or early stage,” she said.
The Consultant, Surgical Oncology, Dr Akash N Gaind said that increase in number of cancer cases among women is being witnessed. He listed Breast cancer for particular concern as 40 percent of cancer cases in the hospital belong in this type.
The Consultant Medical Oncology, Dr Vimal Pandita informed that screening mammography has been the best imaging tool to detect cancers at an early stage. He said that women should regularly check the symmetry of their breasts and nipples and immediately go for mammography if any lump is felt in the breasts.
Dr Mahesh Sultania of Oncology Department said, “ Breast cancer is still a stigma in Indian society, and women going through breast cancer do not speak about it.
The attitude towards cancer in our society has made cancer patients invisible, preventing open discussion and creating a vicious cycle of fear and misinformation for the masses. World Health Organization’s statistics reveal that more than 60 percent of the women are diagnosed with breast cancer at advance stages in India.
This drastically affects the survival rate and treatment options for the patients.”