Breasties for Life - Breaking the myths and fears around breast cancer

Please excuse my repetitive posts on breast cancer and the myths surrounding it. I am aware of the number of times I have spoken about it through my social media in the past. But if I were given an option to talk about it over and over again, I would still do it. The reason is that it's the number one cause of death in women in India and the second leading cause of death globally. Yet, our women remain either under-diagnosed or seek treatment at later stages when nothing much can be done.

If you ask me why it should be a matter of concern at all, the answer is that anyone with breasts is at risk of developing cancer in this lifetime, duh! But not just anyone, only those who are at risk like:

- Carrying affected genes 

- Having higher estrogen exposure like those who attain puberty at a very young age / reach menopause very late / never borne a child in the past

- Following unhealthy lifestyles, including alcohol and smoking

- Taking hormonal medicines for bone problems 

Now, having said that, not all breast lumps are cancers and not all cancers present as swellings. Some may just have skin changes, a bloody nipple discharge, retracted nipples or swelling in the armpit. While swelling in the breast is common in breast cancer, even non-cancerous conditions of the breast also manifest similarly, and that's how a hospital visit helps in identifying the kind of lump and expediting the treatment. 

What should we do to prevent ourselves from breast cancer?

Most risk factors can't be changed, and nothing can be done about it. However, following a healthy lifestyle, having a nutritious diet (avoiding red meat and caffeine, having more dietary fibre), and quitting smoking and alcohol can reduce the danger. Also, research says breastfeeding for at least a year offers protection from breast cancer because responsible hormones stay at the lowest level during this period. Contrary to the misbelief, oral contraceptives don't put you at risk at all.

How do you detect changes in the breast early?

Most surgeons, including me, will advocate self-breast examination for all women. However, it increases the chance of overdiagnosis, unnecessary tests and anxiety for the simple fact that it picks up any abnormality earlier than it may have presented. Simpler ways to do a self-breast examination are:

- Pick a day five days before or after your menstrual cycle 

- Pick the same date for every month. 

- Either stand in front of the mirror in the bathroom or lie down with your arms up.

- Feel for the breast with the pads of your fingers.

- Start from the outermost part to the innermost or follow a circular pattern, either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction or up and down. 

- Gently squeeze the nipple to check for discharge. 

Repeat the same procedure for both sides and never, I repeat, never pinch up your breast between your fingers to check for swelling because that way, it always feels like a lump which isn't actually there. If at all you find any, don't panic. Breathe in and out, and visit your hospital for the next step.

Now, don't be like the young lady whom I had to attend at a breast camp. She had attended the camp just out of peer pressure and repeated home visits by root-level Heath caregivers. She was very hesitant to undergo a formal examination. The moment I put my hands on her breast, I felt a significant swelling that made her wince. 

"Are you not aware of this? Doesn't this bother you yet to visit a hospital?" I asked her. And do you know what she said?

"Yes, doctor, it's been there for over six months. But I fear if I visit a hospital and get it tested, it might turn out to be a cancer. Nowadays, doctors say that everything is cancer and everyone is dying. That's why I have kept it to myself, and you know what? It doesn't hurt until I touch it, and it doesn't bother me much. I think that's just a normal swelling." I was shell-shocked and bumfuzzled at her naivety. She thought visiting a hospital would make the swelling cancerous. 

Why visit a hospital for breast problems?

A simple needle test (biopsy) and breast imaging confirm the diagnosis almost 99.99% of the time, just like the disinfectant that kills those adamant germs. Trust me on this; this one definitely is true. A non-cancerous breast lump need not always be taken out because they don't become cancerous later in life. On the other hand, the swelling keeps coming back until menopause because of the hormones, and repeated removal will only cause more distress. But you may go ahead if it causes pain or discomfort or is oversized, causing cosmetic concerns. 

On the other hand, all breast cancers need to be treated at the earliest with one or all forms of treatment modality. Earlier, all women were subjected to removal of the entire breast irrespective of the size of the disease. But slowly, as research improved, surgeons understood the emotional impact of the loss of breasts on women, and newer treatment methods have emerged. Now, people with breast cancer can have their breasts conserved with newer surgical approaches with chemotherapy and radiation treatment. 

Misconceptions regarding breast cancer:

- Most people think that breast cancer is a terminal diagnosis and that it's highly mortal, which, in fact, isn't true. The survival rate of women following treatment for breast cancer is excellent even after ten years, and nothing should stop them from seeking treatment early. 

- A needle test (biopsy) or surgery doesn't cause the spread of cancer as people think. They only help pick up the disease and treat it effectively. 

- Wearing a bra doesn't increase your chance of breast cancer as they have nothing to do with them. 

- Breast pain isn't a symptom of cancer unless in the later stages. Breast pain is a normal condition in most women around their periods which is called cyclical mastalgia.

-Last but not least, men too develop breast cancer (1%), which is carried over through genetic factors and any swelling in the breast should concern them and prompt them for early medical attention.

The intention of this post is only to raise awareness and I don’t mean to cause anyone anxiety. Let me know if this post was helpful and I will keep adding new information every time I speak about it. Be vigilant ans stay safe. See you in the next.

This post is a part of Blogchatter’s A2Zchallenge 2024