87% of women in Gurugram never got breast examination conducted in hospitals

GURUGRAM: Over 87% of women in Gurugram have never undergone breast examination, making many of them vulnerable to breast cancer, the second most common cancer after cervical cancer among women in India. According to data by the National Family Health Survey, only 12.6% women between the age of 15 and 49 in Gurugram have undergonebreast examination. The number is equally poor for the state: Only 15.7% women between the ages of 15 and 49 in Haryana have ever undergone a breast examination.

Statistics provided by cancerindia.org state that for every two women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, one woman dies of the disease. Breast cancer is among the five cancers that account for 47.2% of all the cancers in Indian women.

“One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the country in every four minutes. This gives us an idea of the prevalence of a deadly disease that we choose not to talk about. In recent times, India is witnessing a spurt in the cases of breast cancer in the age group of 30-50 years and the numbers are going to rise due to an increase in life expectancy, urbanisation and adoption of western lifestyles,” said Dr Piyush Kumar Agrawal, senior consultant of the surgical oncology department, Paras Hospital.

Around 70% breast cancer patients in India come for diagnostic and treatment services in advanced stages of the disease. Dr Niranjan Naik, director, breast and gastro-intestinal onco-surgery at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, recommended monthly breast self-examination after the age of 20. “It is even more important when you have a family historyof the disease. Breast cancer is curable up to 98-99.5% if detected early. If one notices any abnormalities in their breasts, like lumps, swelling, nipple discharge, nipple retraction, pain, ulcers, skin thickening or swelling in the armpits, they must consult a doctor immediately,” she said.

Dr Kanchan Kaur, associate director of breast services at Medanta Cancer Institute, said Indian women develop breast cancer a decade earlier than their Western counterparts. “This can be attributed to ethnic genetic differences and contributory environmental factors. Mammogram is advised only to women who are 40 years of age and above. Based on this, a breast ultrasound can be done, and when needed, a breast MRI is conducted,” she said.

With advancements in technology, the treatment and surgery for breast cancer surgery have also changed. Nowadays, breast conservation surgery is attempted more than extensive radical mastectomy (surgical removal of breasts), said Dr Kaushal Yadav, consultant surgical oncology, Max Institute of Cancer Care. “The former has equally good cure rate and preserves normal body image,” he said.