Introduction
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers occurring among the female population. This cancer can also occur in men, but it isn’t as common as it is in women. Initially, breast cancer did not have a huge survival rate owing to lack of awareness and delay in seeking treatment.
But in recent times, increasing support for breast cancer awareness as well as research has helped create advances with respect to diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, which increased the survival rates of the patient.
The recent developments in the field of breast cancer have promoted earlier detection, a new personalized approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease.
In India, the incidence of breast cancer in women is 25.8 per 100,000, while it has a mortality of 12.7 per 100,000 women. According to estimates, at least 17,97,900 women in India may have breast cancer by 2020.
Why the need for awareness?
Breast cancer is a common type of cancer, yet there is a need for the awareness of the same as the patients are not properly informed about the condition. This leads to them seeking treatment at later stages of cancer.
Some of the reasons why people fail to seek breast cancer treatment include;
Late-stage presentation due to social stigma: There is a social stigma surrounding breast cancer. In order to avoid dealing with this stigma, patients tend to seek treatment when the cancer is at later stages. It is easier to treat the condition if it is presented at earlier stages, as doctors can prevent its spread to other parts of the body. In our department 64% of patients present at an advanced stage
Lost to follow-up during treatment: Patients who are being treated for cancer fail to show up for follow-up consultation. Cancer is not a condition that can be treated in one sitting. It requires repeated check-up and follow-ups to prevent it from spreading to different parts of the body or relapsing, in the case of survivors.
Patients face physical, psychological & socio-economic challenges: Women facing breast cancer are subjected to physical, psychological & socio-economic challenges. The challenges vary from women to women over the course of diagnosis and treatment. Psychological challenges may stem from physical issues such as their illness, disfiguration or socio-economic concerns related to employment, access to supportive care, etc.
Lack of knowledge & misinformation about cancer management: A lot of patients have a lot of misconception about breast cancer, owing to the many myths surrounding the condition.
The complex and heterogeneous healthcare system that is pretty difficult for the patient to navigate through
Prevalence of many pathies
The above are some of the many reasons that prevent patients from seeking treatment. Lucknow Breast Cancer Support Group is an organization that hopes to dissipate such concerns through awareness programmes and promote the need for seeking treatment at early stages to help treat breast cancer better.
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer
Feel new lump or lumps on your breasts or armpit
Swelling of the breasts or change in the size or shape of your breasts
Irritation, puckering or dimpling on the skin surrounding your breasts
Redness or flaky skin in the skin of or around the nipples
Change in the appearance of the nipple, such as an inversion along with pain
Discharge from the nipple that is not milk, but could include blood or pus
Pain in any area of the breast
Redness or inflammation of the breast
The above symptoms may also occur in case of other underlying medical conditions, but it is always safe to get yourself tested.
Comments