- Not every lump in the breast is cancer. Only a small percentage of breast lumps are diagnosed to be cancer.
- Only if you have a family history will you develop breast cancer. Genetic factors are estimated to cause 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases.
- Men do not get breast cancer. 1% of breast cancer occurs in men.
- Breast cancer is contagious. No its definitely not.
- Mammogram prevent cancer. Mammogram help in early detection of cancer.
- Wearing a bra (tight/underwired) increases the risk of cancer. Wearing a bra and type of bra does not effect cancer rate.
- Removing the entire breast(mastectomy) is better than just removing the cancer(lumpectomy) and having radiation treatment, in terms of survival. Discuss with your doctor the various options available to you.
- Presence BRCA1and BRCA2 gene mutation does not mean you have to develop cancer. The chances of developing cancer is much higher in the presence of this mutation but not 100%. Talk to your doctor about risk reducing measures.
- Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer. Researchers do not have any conclusive evidence for this.
- Having an breast implant increases the risk of cancer. Implants do not increase the risk of cancer, however more mammogram views may be required to examine the breast.
Time to loose weight: Obesity a modifiable risk factor in Breast Cancer
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) , overweight and obesity are the most important known avoidable causes of cancer after tobacco.
A strong relationship exists between obesity and breast cancer(and various other cancers). This co-relation is complex and not well understood.
Obesity has also been related to advanced disease at diagnosis and with a poor prognosis in both pre-menopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer
Weight gain is common, after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, in many women . Weight gain and obesity lead to poorer breast cancer prognosis, worse surgical outcomes including higher infection rates, poorer healing, lymphedema, fatigue and functional decline.
Breast cancer–associated mortality is greater in women with higher BMI scores (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher).
Weight management plays a key role in the prevention of breast cancer and in improving the prognosis once breast cancer is diagnosed.
Achieving or maintaining a desirable body weight by
eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and regular exercise
may be one of the most important lifestyle behaviors in the
prevention of breast cancer and to improve
survival after a breast cancer diagnosis.
Lemonaid Signs of Breast Cancer
Corrine Ellsworth Beaumont developed a lemon centric picture to depict the signs of breast cancer. This picture makes understanding signs of breast cancer very easy. Every individual can comprehend this pictorial signs of breast cancer.
Picture from http://www.lemonland.org/
A: Hardening
B : Pinching
C: Erosion
D: Red & Hot
E: New fluid
F: Dimpling
G: puckering
H: Growing vein
I: Nipple retraction
J: Asymmetry
K: Orange skin
L: Invisible lump
Lemonaid signs in Breast Cancer
Corrine Ellsworth Beaumont developed this lemon centric pictorial depiction of breast cancer. This image is very easy to comprehend and learn how breast cancer can present.
Picture from http://www.lemonland.org/
A: Hardening
B: Pinching
C: Erosion
D: Red & Hot
E: New fluid
F: Dimpling
G: puckering
H: Growing vein
I: Nipple retraction
J: Asymmetry
K: Orange skin
L: Invisible lump
If you notice any of these changes in your breast consult a doctor immediately.
Lingering questions and thoughts on the mind of a Breast Cancer Survivour
I am sure lot of questions remain on the mind, long after the last chemo/radiation. Life should have gone back to normal, no more fatigue/nausea, a head full of hair…. But the truth is survivors still face a host of problems. To name a few….
- How to prevent Breast Cancer recurrence
- Management of relationship with spouse/family/friends
- Whats the ideal diet… what can i eat
- Can I exercise… when and how much
- Why do i feel so fatigued…
- Regular sex life… is that ok? Vaginal dryness and a lowered sex drive are common side effects
- “Chemobrain” – mental changes like inability to focus and memory deficits
- To deal with accumulated effects of other treatments; neuropathy
It is important to “maintain a healthy weight, not smoke, eat a balanced diet, limit alcohol, and have the recommended cancer screening tests”.
DIET
- Many vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other foods contain antioxidants. Foods with antioxidants include broccoli, liver, and mangoes. Antioxidants protect your cells from damage.
- Beta-carotene gives carrots, apricots, yams, and other vegetables and fruits their orange color. Some studies that suggest that a diet high in beta-carotene-rich foods may lower the risk of dying from breast cancer.
- Eat low-fat protein, such as roasted chicken and baked fish.
- Avoid steak, duck, sausages, or other high-fat meats and processed meats linked to cancer which include bacon, bologna, hot dogs, ham, and smoked meats.
- Eat five servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits each day
- Eat whole-grain foods like whole-grain bread and brown rice, rather than white bread and white rice.
- Cut back on alcohol. Limit yourself to one to two drinks a day.
- Consider loosing weight by increasing activity and cutting calories, if you are overweight being overweight after completing treatment was associated with shorter survival times and higher risk of cancer recurrence..
EXERCISE
- It is not known if physical activity can prevent cancer recurrence or slow the progression of disease. But studies have shown that regular physical activity can reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood, boost self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of fatigue, nausea, pain, and diarrhea.
Why is screening important??
Cultural barriers in cancer
Cancer effects everyone differently. I have seen patients,some so positive yet others so negative. In a country where we still have care givers who do not want the patient to know the diagnosis and hide the truth from them, I wonder how do these patients cope. Who do they turn to? Who is protecting whom? Everyone person is entailed to the truth. I try to be truthful(as i am allowed) with my patients.
A young educated cancer patient working with a MNC was in tears post surgery. On further inquiry I realized she was scared to go back to work. She was actually worried if her colleagues/friends would treat her right, would they shun her. If we have barriers like such in the shining India, how do patients in rural areas manage. We have to remove the stigma associated with cancer.
Breast conserving surgery
The breast can be preserved, in many patients with breast cancer. Only in advanced cases the complete removal of breast may be necessary. However these patients may chose to undergo an immediate/delayed reconstruction of thr breast.
Breast conserving surgery
Breast Cancer Care and Support 