Ignore myths, get breast cancer treated at early stage, say doctors

While many believe that finding a lump in their breast translates to having breast cancer, only a small percentage come forward to get it scanned. “If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored. It is very important that you see a physician for a clinical breast exam or an annual mammogram. Besides, as opposed to the myth, even men get breast cancer,” said Dr Raja Sundaram, Director, Institute of Oncology, Gleneagles Global Hospital.

Each year it is estimated that approximately 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 will die, he stated. “Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. With this disease, men have higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less,” he added.

Stressing on the need for early detection, he said, “A full field digital mammogram of the breast currently remains the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer. The standard recommendation is an annual mammographic screening for women aged 40 years and onwards,” he stated, adding that the aim of treatment for early breast cancer is to remove the breast cancer, still aiming to preserve the breast.

Myths like the cancer spreading through mammogram, the high probability of one developing breast cancer if they have a history in the family as well as that it affects only women, are major reasons why number of cases continue to go ignored, said Dr B Ganesh, an Oncologist.

There are various options available to treat breast cancer. “They include breast surgery, which is the removal of the entire breast, followed by reconstruction. Breast conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy is as effective as mastectomy for most women with early breast cancer. The recent advance is to do a sentinel lymph node biopsy of the axillary nodes and do a complete axillary dissection only if the node is positive. This avoids unnecessary complications of axillary dissection,” said Dr Raja.

He added that chemotherapy can lower the risk of breast cancer coming back or spreading to other parts of the body. “Radiotherapy is almost always recommended after breast conserving surgery and the like,” he said.