Q. What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Usual signs of breast cancer include a painless lump or mass, bulging of skin, dimpling, puckering, nipple retraction, change in skin colour and discharge.
Q. Can the risk of breast cancer be lowered?
Though there is no proven ways that help in preventing breast cancer, certain alterations in lifestyle can lower the risk. Steps that might reduce the risk include maintaining a healthy weight, having an active lifestyle, limiting alcohol and timely pregnancy.
Q. Can Breast cancer be cured?
In early stages with right treatment at the right time, many patients can be cured of cancer. Even in advanced disease variety of treatments are available.
Q. What are the major side effects of chemotherapy?
The common side-effects of chemotherapy include nausea, weakness, mouth sores, appetite change, hair loss, fatigue, infertility, menopause, diarrhoea and changes in smell or taste.
What are the risk factors for Breast Cancer-
1. Increasing Age
The risk of breast cancer increases as you grow older
2. A Personal History of Breast Conditions
A breast biopsy that showed lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia of the breast, that portends to an increased risk of breast cancer.
3. A Family History of Breast Cancer
If your mother, sister or daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, especially at a young age, your risk is increased.
4. Obesity
Being obese or overweight increases the risk of breast cancer. Maintain a healthy weight by being physically active and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
5. Early Menstruation or Late Menopause.
A higher lifetime exposure to estrogen is linked to an increase in breast cancer risk.
6. Having the First Child at an Older Age
Women who give birth to their first child after age 35 may have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.
7. Never Had a Pregnancy
Women who have never been pregnant have a greater risk of breast cancer than women who have had one or more pregnancies.
8. Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy
Women who take hormone therapy that combine estrogen and progesterone to treat menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk decreases when women stop taking these medications.
9. Drinking alcohol
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.
10. Long Term Use of Oral Contraceptives
Women using oral contraceptives (birth control pills) have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. Once the pills are stopped, this risk goes back to normal within about 10 years.
11. Smoking
Breast cancer in Men- It is commonly believed that Breast cancer occurs only in females. But that is not true. Breast cancer does occur in males as well, even though it is rare.
Treatments available for Breast cancer-
-Surgery
-Chemotherapy
-Radiation Therapy
-Hormonal therapy
-Breast cancer surgery I perform-
-Modified Radical Mastectomy
-Radical Mastectomy
-Breast Conservation surgery
-Breast Oncoplasty
-Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
