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Journalism of Courage
October is celebrated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month all around the world to create awareness around breast health, increase education about the symptoms of breast cancer, prevention and early diagnosis. In 1985, the American Cancer Society started off this global movement to advance public research in fighting against breast cancer.
Recent studies indicate that breast cancer is increasingly prevalent among women in India, especially in urban areas. Dr Shiveta Razdan, a consultant in breast oncology at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, highlights the alarming statistics: approximately 100,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed annually in India. Breast cancer accounts for 13.5 percent of all cancer cases in the country, with a death rate of 10.6 percent. Disturbingly, these cases are diagnosed a decade earlier in India compared to the western world and tend to be more aggressive.
In the age of the internet, there’s a great deal of misinformation about breast cancer. To address this issue, we turned to an expert, Dr Divya Singh, a senior surgeon at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and the director of the Maaiya Social Change Front Foundation.
Dr Singh dispels eight common myths associated with breast cancer, providing valuable insights and facts about this devastating disease.
While breast cancer is more prevalent in women, it's important to recognize that men can also develop this disease. In fact, men face a 25 percent higher mortality rate than women due to lower awareness levels and a tendency to overlook breast lumps, potentially leading to delayed treatment.
There is no connection between breast size and cancer risk, although examining larger breasts can sometimes be more challenging. Although obesity and breast density can increase the risk of breast cancer; family history and lifestyle factors are primary influencers for breast cancer.
While the risk of breast cancer does increase with age, it can affect women of all ages, including younger women. Breast cancer in younger women tends to be more aggressive, making early detection crucial through regular screenings and self-exams.
While having a family history of breast cancer can increase your risk, most people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history. Statistically, only about 10 percent of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of this disease. Having a family history may necessitate earlier or more frequent screenings, but it does not guarantee you will develop breast cancer.
Not all breast cancers cause pain. Many cases are painless, especially in the early stages. Pain or discomfort in the breast can be a symptom, but the absence of pain does not rule out breast cancer.
Bras or any other clothing do not cause cancer. It is believed that wearing a bra, especially an underwire style, could restrict the flow of lymph fluid out of the breast, causing toxic substances to build up in the tissue. However, no evidence supports this theory.
A mammogram is one of the most effective tools for early detection of breast cancers. While mammograms require very small doses of radiation, the risk of harm from this radiation exposure is extremely low.
While any new lump in the breast should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, not all breast lumps are cancerous. Many breast lumps, like cysts or fibroadenomas, are benign (non-cancerous). A healthcare provider can perform tests to determine the nature of the lump.
Accurate information and consultation with healthcare professionals are crucial when it comes to breast cancer. Dispelling these myths and understanding the facts empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their breast health and cancer risk.
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