Breast cancer is the most common in developing Asian countries. Dr Jaya Deshpande tells you what you ought to know
WHAT CAN PUT YOU AT A RISK
Many mistakenly believe they would be free of breast cancer if they are in good shape & health, eat healthy food. The following are some of the most significant risk factors for developing breast cancer.
GENDER
Approximately half of all women who develop breast cancer have no identifiable risk factor other than being female and aging. This means it is very important for every woman to be aware of this disease and to try to ensure that they find it early.
AGE
Besides being female, the greatest risk factor for breast cancer is age. Older women are much more likely to get breast cancer. Breast cancer is much less frequent among younger women, the earliest diagnosis usually being made at around 25 years.
FAMILY HISTORY
Breast cancer shows familial clustering than most other cancers. Women having close relatives with history of breast cancer are likely to develop breast cancer.
HIGH BREAST TISSUE DENSITY
The higher the breast tissue density, the greater the risk for breast cancer.
FIRST CHILD AFTER 30
Women who have had no children or who had their first child after age 30 have a slightly higher breast cancer risk. Having multiple pregnancies and becoming pregnant at an early age reduces breast cancer risk.
STRESS
Women who work till late, those who do night shifts. There are other factors too, like early menarche, late menopause, radiation to the chest area, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and not breast feeding your infant.
BEAT IT
Intake food rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants like fresh fruits and vegetables. Regular exercise reduces probability by manifold. Women are also advised to minimise alcohol consumption and avoid intake of tobacco. While tobacco does not lead directly to breast cancer, it can lead to certain benign breast diseases. Oral contraceptive pills and Hormone Replacement Treatment must be undertaken under the close supervision of a health care provider. Self-breast examination must be practiced monthly from teenage onwards by all women. Clinical breast examination may be undertaken annually with one's health care provider.
WHAT YOU NEED NOT KNOW
Some popular myths about breast cancer:
• Only older women are prone to breast cancer
• Breast Cancer causes other diseases
• If breast cancer doesn't run in your family, you won't get it
• Birth control pills cause breast cancer
• Eating high-fat foods causes breast cancer
• A breast cancer diagnosis is an automatic death sentence
• Breast cancer only afflicts women.
(Dr Jaya Deshpande is a Surgical Histopathologist with Metropolis Health Services Ltd)
