Breast cancer now common cancer in Indian women, accounts 25-31% of all cancers: Dr Jatin Sareen
Ø Breast cancer overtakes cervical cancer as most common, deadly killer disease of new era: Dr Vijay Bansal
Ø India logs 1.90 lakh new cases of breast cancer every year: Dr Priyanshu
Ø 1 in 8 Indian women snares lifetime risk of breast cancer: Dr Meenakshi Mittal
Ø Breast self-examination, breastfeeding can reduce risk of breast cancer in women: Dr Meenakshi Sharma
Ø Lack of exercise, unhealthy eating, late marriages and use of contraceptive pills without medical advice major precursors behind breast cancer in females: Dr Hemkant Verma
Chandigarh, October 4: To create awareness on the rising trends of breast cancers in females in India on ‘Head & neck cancer awareness month’, a team of doctors from LIVASA Hospital, Mohali addressed a press conference here on Friday.
The team includes; Dr. Jatin Sarin director medical oncology, Dr Vijay Bansal director surgical oncology, Dr Priyanshu Chaudhry consultant medical oncology, Dr Hemkant Verma, consultant surgical oncology, Dr Meenakshi Mittal director radiation oncology and Dr Meenakshi Sharma consultant radiation oncology.
LIVASA Hospitals are Punjab’s biggest super speciality hospital network with 5 hospitals, 750 beds, 280 ICU beds, 6 cath labs, 20 modular Ots. The healthcare chain is treating over 3 lakh patients every year.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jatin Sareen, director medical oncology said,” Breast cancer is on a steady rise and now overtakes cervical cancer as the most common and deadly killer disease of the new era. Breast cancer impacts 2.1 million women each year and India witnesses 1.90 lakh new cases every year.
Dr Priyanshu Chaudhary said, “A few decades back, breast cancer was seen only after fifty years of age. The number of young women suffering from this disease were lesser with 65% to 70% patients above 50 years and only 30 to 35% women below fifty years of age,”
However, at present, breast cancer is becoming more common in the younger age group with almost 50% of all cases in the 25-60 years of age group and more than 60% of the cases in India present in advanced stage accounting for poor survival and high mortality, he pointed out.
Dr. Vijay Bansal, director of onco surgery, said that breast cancer accounts for 27 % of all cancers in females in India.
“If we do not work on creating awareness and early detection of cancer, the figure could be much worse. The breast self-examination and mammography are simple techniques to deduct breast cancer cases at early stages but ironically according to a survey 75 % Indian women would shy away from breast cancer screening.”
The number of cancer cases are expected to rise to 29.80 million by 2025, informed Dr Meenakshi Mittal Singh.
She further said that cancer is still a stigma in Indian society and women going through breast cancer do not speak about it openly fearing being stigmatized by their own family and friends.
Sharing her views, Dr Minakshi Sharma said that most of the cases in our country are diagnosed very late and according to the statistics of WHO, more than 60% of the women are diagnosed with breast cancer at stage III or IV in India. This drastically affects the survival rate and treatment options for the patients.
Dr Hemkant Varma said that LIVASA Hospital Mohali was 1st hospital in tricity to start comprehensive cancer care under one roof. The patients from Mohali, Chandigarh Panchkula, Yamauanagar, Ambala, Ropar, Nawanshahr, Patial, Karnal, Kaithal, Solan & Shimla are immensely benefited from this.
He also shared that LIVASA Hospital Mohali is now empaneled with Haryana Govt, Himachal Govt, ECHS, CGHS, all major TPAS & corporates for cancer treatment.
Signs & symptoms of breast cancer:
Ø Lump in breast
Ø Nipple discharge
Ø Thickening of the skin of the breast.
Ø Redness and swelling in any part of the breast.
Ø Inverted nipple of breast.
Ø Lump in armpit.
Risk Factors:
Ø Family history
Ø Breast lumps
Ø Age
Ø Diet and lifestyle choices
Ø Radiation exposure
Ø Obesity
Ø Oestrogen exposure
