Globally, at least 1 in every 20 women is affected by breast cancer. And at least 3 out of 5 affected women die. Every 4 minutes, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. According to experts, deaths from breast cancer are increasing mainly due to lack of awareness. If the disease is detected in time and treatment begins, one can recover completely from breast cancer. Incidentally, most women cannot recognize the symptoms of breast cancer in the early stages. They don't even perform self-examinations. That's why Apollo Cancer Centre has launched the 'Check-olate' campaign.
Also Read | Nosebleeds in winter? Here’s why it happens and what you can do
From chocolate to 'Check-olate'. Dark chocolate contains a compound called flavonoid, which reduces oxidative stress and prevents cancer risk. Besides, eating chocolate boosts happy hormones and keeps the mood good. "Whenever you eat dark chocolate, your mood will lift and you'll remember that you need to do a breast self-examination. That's why this awareness campaign is called Check-olate," said Dr. Surinder Singh Bhatia, Director of Medical Services at Apollo Hospital.
Doctors say lack of awareness is one of the major causes of increasing breast cancer. If there's a family history of cancer, early or late menopause, pregnancy at an older age, and environmental changes can lead to breast cancer. But breast cancer doesn't necessarily mean it's a fatal disease. Radiation oncologist Dr. Mukti Mukhopadhyay says, "If the disease is detected in the early stages, patients can recover completely from cancer. But if cancer is detected in the third or fourth stage, the chances of recovery are lower."
Regular breast examination is extremely important for early detection of the disease. Therefore, self-examination should be done once a week and clinical examination once a year, according to Dr. Arundhati De, Senior Radiation Oncologist. Screening tests must be done after the age of 30. Self-examination can easily detect breast lumps and abnormalities. But a lump doesn't necessarily mean it's cancer.
Countless videos on self-examination are available on the internet. You can also learn breast self-examination methods from gynecologists or oncologists. But sometimes tumors are not detected due to improper examination. That's why clinical examination once a year is necessary. Usually, mammography and ultrasound can detect the disease. Currently, even 25-year-old women are being affected by breast cancer. Therefore, it's important to be more aware and regularly examine your breasts, said Dr. De.
Detecting breast cancer doesn't necessarily mean the breast has to be surgically removed anymore. Dr. Mukhopadhyay says, "Technology in cancer treatment has advanced tremendously. Treatment is done through radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. Treatment methods are chosen according to the disease." Simply put, the faster the disease is detected, the quicker you can recover and the less suffering there will be.
Also Read | Want to look fit before the new year arrives? Practice these 4 exercises every morning
Common symptoms of breast cancer
A lump or hardening in any part of the breast
Puckering of breast skin
Any changes in breast skin
Blood or discharge from the nipple
Any abnormal changes in the nipple
