Breast Cancer: The Key Facts Everyone Should Know

It all started with a lemon-sized lump under her left breast. Shalini had noticed this innocuous little lump, but had chosen to ignore it - because she was terrified of what it would reveal, if it was medically examined. Also, it was painless so she thought it was a harmless lump with very little implications. She would press it from time to time and she found that it was tender, did not have any sensation and just sort of clung to her breast - looking like it would at any moment merge with it.

It was all good until she noticed some fluid leaking from her nipple. Now this and the lump couldn’t be related could they, thought Shalini, all the while fidgeting with her lump to see if there was any further fluid discharge. None. But this couldn’t be ignored, she thought as she rushed hurriedly one day to meet the doctor.

It took just one look for Dr Tehrani to judge what the lump was. He had seen dozens of them on dozens of women earlier, and it was always bad news. With a straight face, he asked Shalini to get a biopsy done to ascertain what that lump was.

Shalini stood chewing her nails as Dr Tehrani held the report in his hands, perusing it to try to break it to her gently.

“There’s no easy way to say this. This is stage 2 breast cancer. Thankfully, the cancer hasn’t metastasized so we can start with some chemotherapy. Let’s get treatment started so you can get out of the danger zone” said Dr Tehrani to Shalini.

Breast cancer - the bane of several thousand women today. What happens with breast cancer? Breast cells mutate and become cancerous, and multiply and form tumours. Till now, we thought that breast cancer affects older women whose age is more than 50. However, today we know that younger women are at risk. We thought only women get this ailment. However, men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) too are at risk. Thankfully breast cancer awareness is high so treatment is an option.

It goes way more than just a lump

When it comes to breast cancer facts, breasts can be affected in several different ways. Some symptoms of this disease are very distinctive. Others might make your breast look very different. While a lump might be the first thing that appears, don’t discount the thickening in or near your breast or in your underarm that stays while you menstruate. Then the look and feel of your skin on your breast or nipple might look dimpled, scaly, puckered or inflamed, becoming red, purple or darker than the rest of your breast. Keep an eye out for a hardened area under your skin that looks like marble. A lump is an early sign of breast cancer.

Obesity is a Risk Factor

Time to cut down on those sweets and sugary treats. Obesity is a major risk factor for breast cancer in postmenopausal women. This is because fat tissue produces oestrogen, which can increase breast cancer risk. With obesity comes chronic inflammation, which can increase cancer risk. Fat cells produce growth factors that boost cell growth. Also women who gain weight around their middle, instead of their hips and thighs, have a slightly higher risk of contracting breast cancer. This is important breast cancer information.

There are 4 stages

Healthcare providers have come up with cancer staging systems for planning effective treatment. This also helps providers set a prognosis. Staging depends on breast cancer type, location of the tumour size and location and whether the cancer has metastasized. The stages of breast cancer are as following -

Stage 0 - At this stage the cancer is non-invasive.

Stage 1 - Cancerous cells in nearby breast tissue.

Stage II - A tumour has formed, which is either smaller than 2 cm across and spread to under arm lymph nodes or larger than 5 cm without spreading.

Stage III- Presence of breast cancer in nearby tissue and lymph nodes.

Stage VI- Cancer has spread.

Treatment comes with side effects

If you exhibit breast cancer symptoms, you need to undergo treatment. If you undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy, you are likely to encounter side effects including fatigue, vomiting and nausea. Similarly, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy have similar side effects as well as gastrointestinal issues. People react differently to different treatments. Ask your doctor how treatment can affect you. Also ask about palliative care, so you’re comfortable while undergoing treatment. Don’t get worried. There are many breast cancer treatment options.

Surgery Comes with Complications

If you undergo surgery of any kind, complications do occur. Breast cancer is no exception. With this disease, surgery removes life-threatening cancer, but gives rise to complications like infection at the surgical site, post-surgery blood clots, nerve damage and lymphedema. If you notice any post surgery complications consult your doctor as soon as possible so you can nip any problems in the bud before they become life-threatening.

Physical Activity Can Drastically Lower Your Risk

If you are physically active, you have a lower risk of breast cancer. Around 4-7 hours of moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity can bring down the risk. If you are menopausal - exercise to bring down the risk. Physical activity lowers oestrogen and testosterone levels, as well as insulin and growth hormone levels while bringing down inflammation and altering immune function.

It is not Limited to Older Women

This is one of the most important breast cancer risk factors. Until recently, we thought that breast cancer affected only older women. Today, that is not the case. Younger women less than 50 years of age are also complaining about this ailment. This has something to do with women delaying marriage and childbirth. Early childbirth and breastfeeding protect you against breast cancer. If you have children later, you expose yourself to oestrogen and progesterone, hormones that encourage breast tissue growth, increasing your cancer risk. Read this article to find out why cancer is not limited to older women.

In conclusion, whether or not you have a lump in your breast, it is good to get checked for breast cancer through a breast cancer diagnosis. If you are a woman who is below 50 years of age, getting a checkup is mandatory - don’t wait until something happens to you. Make sure you get checked for breast cancer regularly so you don’t fall prey to the disease.

How do I know that I have breast cancer?

If you have a lump in your breast you should visit your healthcare provider - this could be cancer. This lump could be in your underarm as well. Then there’s unexplained pain or tenderness in the nipple or the breast, skin changes in the breast and a discharge from the nipple. If you have any of the above symptoms, you should get checked for breast cancer.

Can breast cancer be prevented?

It might be difficult or impossible to prevent breast cancer. However, you can reduce your risk of developing it. Carry out self-exams and mammograms to detect this ailment early.

What is the survival rate for breast cancer?

According to a 2023 study, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer in India is 66.4%. This rate is calculated by looking at the percentage of people who are alive five years after diagnosis, excluding those who pass away from other causes

How do I take care of myself if I have breast cancer?

Living with breast cancer is hard. Treatment can be exhausting. Ensure you get enough rest, when you need to. Treatment might affect your appetite so eat well. Maintain a diet of fruit, lean protein, vegetables and healthy grains. Cancer can cause stress-exercise to get rid of it. And finally, join a support group after your diagnosis - ask your healthcare provider.

Can men get breast cancer ?

Men and men assigned from birth can get breast cancer, even though it isn’t common. Transgender women are more likely than cisgender men to develop this disease.