Chennai, India – Dr. Haridas P. Mani, a Consultant in Medical Oncology at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai, is urging women to prioritize breast cancer awareness by understanding their "normal" breast health. He highlights that early detection is crucial in the fight against breast cancer, which remains a leading health concern globally and in India.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Indian women, accounting for over 1.92 lakh cases or 26.6 percent of all female cancers in India in 2022. Worldwide, an estimated 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. Many women often face barriers in detection and care, including limited screening access, delayed diagnosis, and low awareness about early detection practices.[theweek+2]
Know Your Body's Baseline
Dr. Mani stresses that the first and most important step for every woman is simple: "know your normal." This means becoming familiar with the typical look and feel of your breasts. Regular self-awareness allows women to identify any changes that may signal a potential issue.[theweek]
Breast cancer can often begin quietly and may not cause pain in its early stages. Symptoms can be subtle, including a small lump, a thickening of breast tissue, nipple discharge, skin dimpling, persistent redness, or a change in breast shape. Dr. Mani notes that many women, particularly in India, tend to dismiss these subtle changes as normal hormonal fluctuations, especially around menstruation or menopause. This delay in recognizing warning signs can lead to a later diagnosis, making treatment more challenging.[my+11]
Understanding your breasts helps you notice when something feels different. While most breast changes are not cancerous, any new or unusual findings should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider for further evaluation.[theweek]
Screening is Not Optional
Dr. Mani emphasizes that breast cancer screening is a preventive measure, not a reactive one. "Don't treat screening as optional," he advises. Many women only seek medical attention when symptoms become obvious, which can be too late for the easiest and most successful treatments. Regular clinical breast examinations and age-appropriate imaging, such as mammograms, play a crucial role in early detection.[theweek+1]
A common misconception is that breast cancer only affects those with a family history. Dr. Mani clarifies this: "Lack of family history does not mean lack of risk, and that is one of the biggest misconceptions we see in practice." Roughly half of all breast cancers occur in women with no specific risk factors other than their sex and age. This means all women should be vigilant about their breast health, regardless of their family medical background.[theweek+3]
Various health organizations provide guidelines for mammography screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 40 to 74 years who are at average risk. The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests women aged 40-44 have the option to begin yearly mammograms. For women aged 45-54, annual mammograms are recommended. Women aged 55 and older can then switch to mammograms every other year or continue yearly screenings, as long as they are in good health. These screenings are vital because early-stage cancer, diagnosed at a localized stage, has a 5-year relative survival rate of over 99 percent.[uspreventiveservicestaskforce+4]
Breaking Stigma and Empowering Women
Beyond personal awareness and screening, Dr. Mani highlights the importance of addressing the social stigma surrounding breast cancer. "Breast cancer is not a taboo. It is a medical condition," he states. Open conversations within families and communities can lead to earlier detection and better patient outcomes. Encouraging mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends to discuss breast health openly, without embarrassment, can make a life-saving difference. Dr. Mani concludes, "The earlier we normalise these conversations, the earlier women will seek help."[theweek+2]
He also points out that women often prioritize the health of everyone else before their own. "That must stop," Dr. Mani urges. Taking charge of one's own well-being is a form of personal empowerment. Self-breast examinations, while not a substitute for professional screenings like mammograms, are a valuable tool for breast awareness. Studies indicate that about 75 percent of breast cancers are first detected by women themselves, underscoring the importance of regular, attentive self-exams.[theweek+5]
Early detection through a combination of self-awareness and expert medical care significantly improves the chances of successful treatment if breast cancer is found. When breast cancer is detected early, a wider range of treatment options becomes available, leading to better outcomes and quality of life. Advances in treatment, including breast-conserving surgeries, targeted therapies, hormonal treatments, and reconstructive procedures, have greatly improved patient prospects. Additionally, mental health support, fertility counseling, and body image programs are increasingly becoming integral parts of comprehensive cancer care.[memorialcare+3]
Globally, breast cancer caused an estimated 670,000 deaths in 2022. In the United States, approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. An estimated 321,910 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026, with an additional 60,730 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. However, breast cancer death rates in the U.S. have seen a significant decline of 44 percent since 1989, a testament to improved screening, early detection efforts, increased awareness, and continuously improving treatment options.[theweek+5]
Prioritizing breast health through self-awareness and timely medical screenings is a powerful step in the ongoing fight against breast cancer.[nationalbreastcancer]
