Last updated:Nov 6, 2024 9:26 PM IST
Incorporating self-breast exams and regular screening tests into your healthcare routine is a mandate you must swear by to protect breast health
Regular medical screenings and a more proactive approach to one’s well-being and ‘breast awareness’ can help prevent missed opportunities for early diagnosis
Cells are the small building blocks of life that make up various organs and human bodies. Sometimes the genetic machinery of these cells can go wrong: they mutate, grow uncontrollably, or multiply rapidly, forming lumps or “tumors” in the body. These tumors can be benign or malignant in nature. When malignant tumors occur in the breast tissue, it is called breast cancer. Breast cancer, inherited or acquired over the course of a person’s life, can start in one or both breasts and later spread to other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes, bones, liver, lungs and brain. The sooner we discover it, the greater the chance that a patient will survive.
Breast cancer accounts for 13.5% of all cancer cases and nearly 10% of cancer-related deaths in India every year. The incidence of breast cancer is increasing at an alarming rate in our country due to changes in reproductive behavior and lifestyle changes. Given India’s 1.5 billion population, these will be significant numbers that cannot be overlooked for the foreseeable future.
“Breast cancer presents as asymptomatic growths or growths in most patients. They cause no pain or noticeable discomfort at first, so they are ignored. But these painless lumps can take on a life-threatening nature if they turn out to be cancerous. The stage at which cancer is diagnosed determines treatment options and significantly impacts patient outcomes. However, most breast cancer patients in India are diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment becomes prolonged and surgery requires removal of the entire breast and the recurrence rate is higher,” said Dr Shalaka Joshi, professor and surgeon, Department of Surgical Oncology , Breast Services at Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai.
Regular medical screenings and a more proactive approach to one’s well-being and ‘breast awareness’ can help prevent missed opportunities for early diagnosis. “Every woman after the age of 30 should perform a self-breast examination once a month, ideally 3-5 days after menstruation, and be aware of the feel and appearance of her normal breasts so that she can identify any changes. If they discover anything unusual, they should immediately consult a doctor and get more thorough tests done,” advises Dr. Joshi.
With advances in science and technology, cancer treatment and clinical procedures have evolved, as have diagnostic services and screening tools. Mammography is perhaps the most well-known test for detecting breast cancer, but it is only one of many screening tests available to us. Each test has its own purpose and procedure, depending on individual risk factors and medical history. Understanding how these work can help alleviate the anxiety surrounding them. So here are six breast cancer screening tests to consider the next time you make an appointment with your doctor:
- Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)A clinical breast examination is the first step in breast cancer screening, performed by a trained healthcare provider to visually and physically inspect the breasts, nipples, and armpits for any abnormalities. The doctor or nurse will look for any swelling, discoloration, texture changes, lumps or dimples that may require further examination during the examination. It is an inexpensive test, often part of regular physical examinations, which must be taken annually from the age of 20.
- MammographyMammography uses low doses of ionizing radiation to create x-rays of the breast. These X-rays are called mammograms. It is considered the gold standard for detecting early signs of breast cancer and can identify tumors that are too small to feel by hand and reveal changes in breast tissue before more obvious symptoms emerge. It is recommended to undergo mammography every one to two years after the age of 40, especially in high-risk patients. However, a normal mammography does not rule out breast cancer and in dense breasts mammography can be misleading.
- UltrasoundBreast ultrasound is an imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the breast tissue. A gel is applied to the breasts to improve the transmission of sound waves, then a transducer is passed over the area to convert electrical signals into sound waves. It is very effective for patients with dense breast tissue and can detect lumps missed by mammograms. It is often performed as a follow-up test to mammography and helps distinguish whether the abnormal growth is solid or filled with fluid.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)MRI produces cross-sectional images of the breast using powerful magnets and radio waves. It is generally reserved for individuals who are at greater risk of developing breast cancer, such as those who have inherited the mutated BRCA gene or those who have a family history of breast cancer. It helps recognize the slightest change in the breast, which may or may not be cancer-related. High-risk patients are recommended to undergo breast MRI at least once a year.
- ThermographyCells need extra blood to multiply and reproduce. When an abnormal growth develops in the breast, more blood flows to that area, causing a flare-up in temperature around the cells. Thermography is based on this idea of detecting tumors and cancers in the breast using infrared technology. During this test, the patient is held in front of an infrared camera for approximately 30 minutes. It painlessly records temperature fluctuations across the breast tissue in the form of a heat map. It does not require radiation or breast compression and is typically used as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for breast cancer detection and cannot replace other standard imaging and clinical methods.
- Breast tissue sampling or biopsyUnlike other tests and techniques, a breast biopsy is an invasive procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed with a special biopsy needle and examined in the diagnostic laboratory. The patient is placed under local or general anesthesia during the procedure and may experience minor bleeding/bruising around the site. It is often prescribed as a follow-up examination if something disturbing emerges during the preliminary examinations. It helps clarify whether the abnormal growth is cancerous or benign in nature.
Incorporating self-breast exams and regular screening tests into your care routine is a mandate you must swear by to protect the health of your breasts. By familiarizing yourself with these tests and having honest conversations with healthcare providers, you can make a world of difference by adding quality years to your life. Cancer is curable if caught early.
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