A five-step guide for Breast
Cancer checks at home.

As per WHO data, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer that afflicts women in 157 countries. 1 in 8 women in India is likely to get breast cancer in her lifetime. A lot of research over the last few decades has helped identify the risk factors for guide for breast cancer. These have helped women make informed choices about their health. However, WHO data also suggests that 50% of the women diagnosed with breast cancer were inflicted by no specific risk factor, except their gender and age. Data also suggests that one of the best defences against breast cancer is early detection. The five-year survival rate for women with early detection of breast cancer is 99% as compared to 22% for those whose detections occur at stage 4 or later.

These three factors; very high prevalence, occurrence in women with no specific risk factors, and the effectiveness of treatment at early stages make early detection a vital step in the fight against breast cancer. It is prudent to be careful in your daily life and be on the lookout for symptoms. In this respect, breast cancer is relatively easier to monitor since the physical symptoms are easier to detect than most other forms of cancer.

 

A five-step guide for conducting breast cancer screenings at home:

i. Visual Inspection of Breasts: First and foremost, you should do a visual examination for any sudden changes to the shape and size of your breasts and nipples. Cancerous cells are often inflammatory and will cause swelling in the breast tissue. Also look out for nipples turning inwards, discolouration or rashes that may have developed. Check if the changes occur in only one of the breasts. Typically, that is more concerning than changes in both breasts.

ii. Raise your arms and inspect your underarms: One of the first places where cancer cells spread from breasts is the armpit. Hence, your inspection should focus on the underarms as well. Check for all the changes and symptoms that you did while inspecting your breasts. Underarm grooming (shaving, antiperspirants, deodorants) has no link to breast cancer. It is a myth which has been disproved by many studies.

iii. Check for fluid discharge from the breasts. This is particularly important in a hot and humid country like India where such discharge might not be detected due to sweat. Hence, it is important to look for the same when you are in a cool and dry place. Fluid discharge amongst pregnant women is common. As with any of these changes, a discharge from only one breast is typically more serious.

iv. Lay down on the bed and check for lumps in your breasts using your fingers in a circular motion. Checking for lumps is best done with finger pads rather than fingertips as these are more sensitive to touch. Check the entire breast and underarm region in a smooth and firm circular motion and then repeat the process in an up/down fashion.

v. Check for lumps standing up in the shower: Repeat the above process for lump checking standing up in a shower.

When should I do the self-exam for Breast Cancer?

This self-exam should be carried out by all adult women at least once a month and ideally on the same date each month. For women of menstruating age, the exam should ideally be done three to five days before the period ends. For women who have stopped menstruating, they can choose any date but the test should be done on the same date each month. Doing the exam on a specific date each month not only makes sure that you are examining your breasts at the same stage of your monthly cycle, but it also is much more likely to become a habit.

What should I do if encounter any of the above symptoms

In case you find any of the above symptoms, do not panic. While any lump in the body could be a tumour, not all tumours are cancerous. Eight out of ten breast lumps are not cancerous. Get in touch with your doctors with your findings and let them guide for breast cancer you on the next steps.

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