Warning signs to preventive tests: How to catch breast cancer early – Times of India

"I didn't have any symptoms. Was getting regular tests done and was told that I should go and get this checked with an oncologist," Mahima Chaudhry recently shared about her cancer diagnosis. For early detections, doctors stress on regular check-ups and address signs and symptoms one should look out forMahima Chaudhry said she had no symptoms of breast cancer and was diagnosed during a routine check-up. Doctors address signs to look out for, and check-ups one cannot miss to detect the disease earlyOn Thursday, Mahima Chaudhry revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and has made a full recovery after treatment. In a video clip on Instagram, Chaudhry spoke with Anupam Kher about her cancer diagnosis and treatment, revealing that she was diagnosed during her annual health check-up. I did not have any symptoms. I was getting my regular tests done and the person who was doing the tests said I should go and get this checked with an oncologist, Chaudhry said in the video.The actress added that while initial tests came back negative, when we did a biopsy of the entire cells that were removed, we found a tiny portion of cells had become cancerous. Doctors share that early detection of cancer is important for recovery, and that there are signs and symptoms that women can pay attention to. Stressing on the importance of self-examination and regular screenings, they also address the myths attached to breast cancer.Self-examination is ideal to detect breast lumpsSelf-breast examination is the ideal method to detect any breast lump - malignant or benign. This method does not involve any doctor or family member and is very easy. Every woman, especially after the age of 40, should do a periodic self-breast examination as this will lead to early diagnosis and treatment, says Dr Sunny Jain HOD and Sr Consultant Oncology Marengo QRG Hospital Faridabad.Make sure to use the fat pads of the fingertips of the three middle fingers. Moving in small circles slowly around your breast, work toward the nipple. Press firmly to feel deep tissues, and gently to feel tissues under the skin. Be sure to cover the entire breast without skipping any areas. Repeat for your opposite breast. If any lump or thickening is felt, consult your doctor immediately, adds Dr Ramesh Sarin, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncologist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi

What are the preventive breast cancer check-ups one should go for?The screening mammography should be done annually after the age of 40, as a preventive measure, for earliest detection of cancer. This will detect the small hidden lumps in the breast, says Dr Parveen Mendiratta, Sr Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Accord Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad.

Every woman should start screening mammography, guided by a breast clinician or breast surgeon, yearly or every two years from the age of 40. Only biopsy of an abnormal lesion, seen on a mammogram ultrasound, can confirm if it is cancerous or pre-cancerous. Once a month, a few days after your period finishes, a woman should use her hands to check for lumps, advises Dr Kanchan Kaur, Director, Breast Surgery, Breast Cancer, Cancer Institute, Medanta Hospital Gurgaon.

Dr Uma Dangi, Consultant Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital Mulund & Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, shares, Any of the mentioned symptoms can be a sign of breast cancer, and it is best to get it checked. Self breast examination done once a month as mentioned starting as early as the age of 20 years can detect early lumps. Mammography once a year after the age of 45 years may help early detection. However, if you are in the high risk category, with a strong family history of cancer or a known high risk genetic mutation, you will need to undergo tests more frequently which may include mammograms and MRI of the breast.

Myths attached to breast cancerAmong the most common myths associated with breast cancer, is that the lumps are painful. That is why so many times we see patients say they didnt come sooner for a check-up because the lump did not hurt. As a result, they are diagnosed late. The second myth is that an absence of family history of cancer means it will not happen to you. But 95% women get it even if they do not have a family history, says Dr Kanchan Kaur.

Dr Parveen Mendiratta points out another myth People think that a biopsy isnt needed or that if a biopsy is done, the cancer spreads fast. That is not a fact. A biopsy should be done to confirm the cancer and earliest treatment should be given.

Dr Sunny Jain adds, Cancer does not spread by doing a biopsy or FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology). Biopsy is the single most important test in the whole armamentarium of tests to diagnose cancer. It is the biopsy which confirms the type and grade of cancer, the proliferation index and information regarding the decision with regard to the treatment - chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy and advancement in the research we are doing in molecular genetics to stop the cancer cell cycle at specific phase/points in the development.

Self-exams, regular check-ups & triple assessment is most importantThe most important thing is to go for regular check-ups, breast exams by your breast specialist and mammography after the age of 40-50, depending on your risk factors. Mammography is advised on a yearly basis. A certain type of microcalcification, detected during mammography, is the earliest stage that one can diagnose and almost cure completely, says Dr Ramesh Sarin.

Dr Shubham Jain adds, What Mahima also discussed in her video was triple assessment i.e. having the breast lump evaluated by three specialists. The first one she listed was the radiologist, who did an ultrasound and found something suspicious. He recommended that she visit a surgeon, who examined her and suggested a biopsy, which detected the disease.

Dont delay annual check-ups, dont ignore lumps, say celebrities who have survived breast cancerTahira KashyapTahira, 38, who was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer (a type of non-invasive cancer, in which cancerous cells grow in the lining of the breast milk duct) in 2018, wrote on social media, "I want women of all ages to be aware. I am 35, and I was returned twice over from a mammogram. If any symptoms come up, think of it as a protective force and get yourselves examined."

Christina Applegate

Sheryl CrowSheryl, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 at age 44, is now cancer free. She said, "I found myself tempted to delay my annual mammogram visit like so many women do when dealing with stressful periods of life. Fortunately, I kept that appointment, and my breast cancer was found early."

Chhavi HusseinChhavi, 41, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2022, wrote on social media, "I had gone to a doctor for a minor gym injury in the chest and that's when they found the lump. To all women nothing should be left to chance Please do regular self-examination/ mammograms... and do not neglect a lump. Early detection is the only key."

Kylie MinogueKylie Minogue was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2005 at age 39, just months after being "misdiagnosed". "So my message to all of you and everyone at home is, because someone is in a white coat and using big medical instruments doesn't necessarily mean they are right," she said on Ellen DeGeneres' talk show in 2008, advising women to trust their intuition. She added, "When you are stripped of everything and you have to grow your eyelashes back, grow your hair back, it's astonishing. It's hard to express what I've learnt from that, but a deep psychological and emotional shift has obviously taken place."

Cynthia Nixon"Get your mammograms and don't delay," said Sex And The City star Cynthia Nixon. Diagnosed in 2002 at age 40, she remained private about her cancer treatment, that included a lumpectomy and radiation, before publicly announcing her diagnosis. Her mother is also a breast cancer survivor.

Julia Louis-DreyfusIn September 2017, multiple Emmy Awards winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus, then-56, announced her diagnosis on Twitter: "1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today, I'm the one," she wrote.

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Warning signs to preventive tests: How to catch breast cancer early - Times of India