The term cancer generally instils fear and panic for most people and their families. As a cancer surgeon, I would like to dispel any such notions about cancer and hopefully educate the readers about cancer so that this menace can be tackled in a better way.

This article will focus on Breast Cancer.   This is a simple yet complex form of cancer where many women ignore the signs of it due to shame or plain ignorance.  If detected early it can be easily cured and the patient can be assured of a long and good life. However most women are detected late due to the reasons mentioned above and then have all the problems associated with the disease.

The main causes are usually genetic where if another family member has the disease (such as mother or sister), the person in question is at a greater risk.  Tobacco consumption and alcohol consumption have been suggested to be risk factors, but not very strongly associated. Women who have achieved menarche early (before 12 years age), have had menopause late (after around 45 years of age), women who have had children after 30 years of age, those who have not borne children or those who have not breastfed are at a greater risk for the disease.  All women who fall in the above categories should be extra vigilant towards the disease.

Most cancer associations recommend that every woman above the age of 40 should get herself regularly checked for breast cancer by a qualified doctor who is experienced in detecting the same.

Those women who have a history of breast or any other cancer in the family should get regular checkups after the age of 18 only.  An interval of 3 years between each check-up is considered the bare minimum, although most international protocols advise annual checkups after the age of 40. 

During the check up, the woman is also taught about breast cancer and how she can self examine herself at home.

Basic signs that every woman should look for are any change in shape of the breast, any asymmetry seen, the presence of a lump or an abnormal discharge. Any of these signs should ring alarm bells and the woman should immediately go see a doctor. Remember breast cancer can affect any woman of any age, so it is always better to be vigilant.  Having regular checkups even in an apparently healthy woman is a small price to pay compared to late detection of the disease and the associated mental, physical and financial trauma it can cause.

I hope this article reaches out to not only to all the female readers but also the male readers such that they encourage all the women above 40 years of age to get regular health checkups specific towards breast cancer and the taboo towards this disease is broken.  Please do write in your doubts and experiences with regard to this disease so that other people too can be educated about it. I sincerely look forward to your comments.