Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. In India, with over 100, 000 new cases being diagnosed each year; it has overtaken Cervical Cancer to become the most common cancer affecting women in Urban India. After evaluation by a process of Triple Assessment, which includes Clinical breast examination, Breast imaging (Mammogram, X-ray of the breasts & Breast Ultrasound scan) & ultrasound guided needle biopsy of the lump, a definitive diagnosis of breast cancer can be obtained in most instances If diagnosed early and treated before it spreads, five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 99 percent.
Diagnosis of Breast cancer does not automatically mean that it has or will spread; just that it has the potential to spread. The potential for cancer to spread is referred to as GRADE of cancer. Breast cancer is graded 1, 2 or 3. In general a lower grade (Grade 1) indicates a slowly growing cancer while a higher Grade (Grade 3) indicates a faster-growing cancer.
The extent of spread of cancer is known as STAGE of the disease.
Stage 1 Tumour less than 2 CMS No Spread
Stage 2 Tumour 2 – 5 CMS with or without lymph node involvement.No Spread to other parts of the body
Stage 3 Tumour more than 5cms or tumour any size but is fixed either to chest wall, muscle or skin
Stage 4 Tumour any size, Lymph nodes may or may not be involved, but
cancer has spread to other parts of the body
Risk Factors
Women with abnormal genes, such as BRCA-1 or BRCA-2
Women who began their menstrual periods before age 12 or began menopause after age 55
Women who have used hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogen and progesterone for a long time
Women and men who are overweight or obese
Women and men who are not physically active
Women and men over 40 (Most breast cancer is diagnosed in women over 40.)
Women and men with a family history of breast cancer (Risk increases if several close relatives have been diagnosed with breast cancer or if a person’s mother was diagnosed before age 50.)
Women and men who have already had cancer in one breast
Women and men with a family history of ovarian cancer
Women and men who have had radiation therapy to their chests