Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs

says Dr Geeta Kadayaprath, a Surgical Oncologist and Head of Breast Surgery at Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi. She strongly recommends Breast Self Examination (BSE) as one of the methods for early detection. How do you spread awareness about breast cancer? Through lectures, videos and street plays mainly 1.   Would you say the awareness has improved over the years? It has, but in select pockets only, mainly urban. There is no comprehensive, concerted method of creating…

One of the largest studies on women (1.8 million women) tracked the effect of the use of hormonal birth control pills on risk of breast cancer. Read on to know the findings:  The study: Recently, the New England Journal of Medicine published a research conducted by a team of scientists in Denmark. They studied 1.8 million women between the ages of 15 and 49 over a stretch of approximately 11 years. They were looking for women who used hormonal birth control — usually a combination of…

Waiting for medical test results can be the hardest part, but you can make it easier. In a heart-warming article, Usha Jesudasan, relates how she became a nervous wreck when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and how the composed, comforting presence of her son gave her strength to face her diagnosis.    At some point, most of us will accompany someone we love to a hospital or a doctor.   We  go, because we care about the person who felt the lump in her breast…

Breast cancer is the commonest cancer of urban Indian women and surgery is often an important step in treating breast cancer. In an interview, Dr. Rucha Kaushik, Consultant Breast Cancer Surgeon, Hinduja Hospital, answers your unanswered questions about breast cancer surgery procedures, options and challenges. A biopsy is typically done to diagnose breast cancer. Are there different types of biopsies? Yes, there are different types of biopsies done to diagnose breast cancer. Most commonly used…

Cancer affects and changes family and societal relationships. How are interpersonal relationships impacted when a woman is undergoing treatment for cancer? How do priorities change? We spoke to a cross section of breast cancer patients and survivors across the country and beyond to find out their experience, how their relationships were affected, how their outlook of life changes and what keeps them motivated. Did any of your interpersonal relationships with family, friends, relatives,…

Jayshree Guru was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she decided to be strong to face the treatment, for her own sake as well as for her family. Having dealt with cancer, she was not prepared when Lymphoedema set in. With help and assistance from Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care, Jayshree learnt to treat lymphoedema.  I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 48yrs.  It was tough, and I did not think much about it at that time. One thing I decided - that I will not become weak and feel…

Lymphoedema can be caused by cancer, surgery of any kind, radiotherapy or even infection and can result in swelling, pain and discomfort. Dr. Subathra Muthukumaran of Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Trust shares how it can be managed by simple exercises and what to avoid in such a situation. The goal of palliative care is to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life of those with chronic illnesses since people go through not just pain but various other symptoms. One such distressing symptom…

Cancer is not a death sentence. There is no rule that says a person who has cancer will die before one who hasn’t. Nandita Muralidhar, who had breast cancer, recounts how her cheerful and positive approach eased the gloom. Cancer. The very word freezes one in one’s tracks, sends a shiver down the spine, brings up the memory of every sad movie you’ve seen…because it has been portrayed as the end, or at least the beginning of the end. Sad music, copious tears or a struggle towards an inevitable…

Dr Shruti Mohanka, a fertility specialist and gynaecologist at Global hospital in Mumbai helps us understand how fertility preservation should addressed for all young male and female patients undergoing cancer treatment. Fertility preservation is a critical element of improving quality of life in cancer survivors. Young children and young adults often survive cancer and may wish to have families in the future. They and their families need to be aware that preserving fertility is an option. Too…

This #BreastFeedingAwareness Week, let us remind ourselves about the benefits of breast feeding through this simple Infographic.  We all know breast feeding helps strengthen the bond between the mother and child. But there are other clear health benefits too. Breast feeding helps provide the necessary nutrition to the baby and build the baby's immunity as well as reduces the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and obesity for the mother.  For more details read the complete article…