Sarah Ferguson asks everyone to ‘go and get screened’ after breast cancer diagnosis; know its importance

Further, it was revealed that her breast cancer was “symptom-free” and was identified through a mammogram, underlining the importance of regular screening.

Sarah also recorded a podcast episode the day before she went in for surgery, which was released earlier today. “It’s very important I speak about it. I don’t mind if no one wants to hear from me. I am telling people out here because I want every single person listening to this podcast to go and get checked, go and get screened,” she said in her podcast ‘Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah‘.

Agreeing with Sarah, Dr Tirathram Kaushik, Consultant Oncosurgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road said that a mammogram is a type of breast X-ray. “Mammograms are the best technique for many women to detect breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is large enough to feel or cause symptoms. Regular mammograms can help reduce the chance of dying from breast cancer,” he said.

Breast cancer can be detected early through regular screening (Source: Getty Images)

Further, mammograms have been found to lower the risks associated with breast cancer, including breast cancer mortality. “Getting regular mammograms is one of the most essential things you can do to lower your individual risk of breast cancer. However, having mammograms every year or every two years, depending on your age gives your doctor with a continuous record of your breasts that may be compared in later years. This type of side-by-side examination might also help detect microscopic abnormalities in tissue that could suggest an early stage of cancer. Finally, when breast cancer is detected early, therapy can be far less severe,” Dr Kaushik said.

Additionally, Dr Nikhil S Ghadyalpatil, Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist and Hemato-Oncologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad recommended women get routine mammograms starting at age 40 or earlier if they have a higher risk for breast cancer due to factors such as family history or genetic mutations. “The frequency of mammograms may vary depending on a woman’s age and risk level.”

Apart from breast cancer, regular mammograms can also help detect changes in a woman’s breast health over time which can help provide a baseline for future screenings. “Additionally, mammograms can detect benign breast conditions, such as cysts, which may also require medical attention. Regular mammograms are an important tool for early detection and prevention of breast cancer, and women should talk to their healthcare provider about when to start and how often to get screened,” Dr Ghadyalpatil said.

Here are some early breast cancer symptoms to look out for, according to the experts.

– Skin rashes
– Puckering or dimpling of the breast
– Scaliness on the nipple (which can occasionally spread to the areola)
– The discharge of the nipple
– Changes in the nipple, such as moving inward, tugging to one side, or changing direction
– Breast or nipple ulcer (occasionally spreading to the areola)
– Skin thickening, resulting in an orange-peel texture

“The most frequent sign of breast cancer is a lump in the breast or armpit. Patients frequently describe it as a ball or a nodule. Lumps might be soft, rubbery, or firm. You probably won’t be able to notice it unless you have tiny breasts or the lump is quite enormous,” Dr Kaushik said.

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