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Incorporating self-breast examinations and regular screening tests into your healthcare routine is a mandate one needs to swear by to safeguard breast health
Regular medical screenings and a more proactive approach towards one’s well-being and “breast awareness” can help avoid missed opportunities for early diagnosis
Cells are the tiny building blocks of life that constitute various organs and human bodies. Sometimes, the genetic machinery of these cells can go awry, they mutate, grow uncontrollably, or multiply rapidly- forming lumps or ‘tumors’ in the body. These tumors can either be benign or malignant in nature. When malignant tumors occur in the breast tissue, they are referred to as breast cancer. Breast cancer, inherited or acquired over the course of one’s life, might start in one or both breasts and then later metastasize to other parts of the body such as lymph nodes, bones, liver, lungs, and brain. The earlier we detect it, the greater chance a patient has of surviving.
Breast cancer accounts for 13.5% of all cancer cases and nearly 10% of cancer-related deaths in India, every year. The incidence of breast cancer is rising at an alarming rate in our country due to change in reproductive behaviour and lifestyle changes. Considering India’s 1.5 billion population, in near future, these will be significant numbers that cannot be overlooked.
“Breast cancer presents itself as asymptomatic growths or masses in most patients. They don’t cause pain or noticeable discomfort at the outset, leading to them being ignored. But these painless lumps can take on a life-threatening disposition if found to be cancerous. The stage at which cancer is diagnosed determines treatment options and significantly impacts patient outcomes. However, most breast cancer patients in India are diagnosed at advanced stages, when treatment becomes longer and surgery necessitates removal of the whole breast and recurrence rates are higher,” says Dr Shalaka Joshi, Professor and Surgeon, Department of Surgical Oncology, Breast Services at Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai.
Regular medical screenings and a more proactive approach towards one’s well-being and “breast awareness” can help avoid missed opportunities for early diagnosis. “Every woman after the age of 30 should conduct self-breast examinations once a month, ideally 3-5 days after periods and should be aware of the feel and appearance of her normal breasts that she can identify any change. Should they find anything out of the ordinary, they must immediately consult a doctor and get more thorough tests done,” advises Dr Joshi.
With advancement in science and technology, cancer treatment and clinical procedures have evolved, as have the diagnostic services and screening tools. Mammography is arguably the most well-known test for breast cancer detection, but it is only one among the many screening tests at our disposal. Each test has its own purpose and procedure depending on individual risk factors and medical history and understanding how they work can ease the anxiety around it. So here are six breast cancer screening tests to consider the next time you book an appointment with your physician:
- Clinical Breast Exam (CBE)A clinical breast examination is the first step in breast cancer screening, conducted by a trained healthcare provider to visually and physically inspect the breasts, nipples, and arm pits for any abnormalities. The doctor or nurse look for any swelling, discoloration, textural change, lumps, or dimples that might require further examination during the exam. It is an inexpensive test, often a part of regular physical exams, which should be conducted annually, starting at the age of 20.
- MammographyMammography uses low dose of ionizing radiation to produce x-ray images of the breast. These x-ray images are called mammograms. Taken as the gold standard to detect early signs of breast cancer, it can identify tumors that are too small to be felt by hand and reveal changes in the breast tissue before more evident symptoms surface. It is recommended to undergo mammography every one to two years after the age of 40, especially for high-risk patients. However, a normal mammography does not rule out breast cancer and in dense breasts, mammography can be misleading.
- UltrasoundBreast ultrasound is an imaging test which involves high-frequency sound waves to create a picture of the breast tissue. A gel is applied over the breasts to enhance sound wave transmission and then a transducer is run over the area to convert electrical signals into sound waves. It is quite effective for patients with dense breast tissue and can detect lumps missed by mammograms. It is often conducted as a follow-up test to mammography and helps distinguish if the abnormal growth is solid or filled with fluid.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)MRI produces cross-sectional images of the breast using powerful magnets and radio waves. It is generally reserved for individuals who are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer, such as those who have inherited the mutated BRCA gene or those who have family history of breast cancer. It helps recognize the slightest change in the breast, that might or might not be cancer related. High-risk patients are recommended to undergo breast MRI at least once a year.
- ThermographyCells need extra blood to multiply and reproduce. When an abnormal growth develops in the breast, more blood flows to that site causing a flare up in the temperature around the cells. Thermography draws on this idea to detect tumors and cancers in the breast using infrared technology. During this test, the patient is positioned in front of an infrared camera for around 30 minutes. It painlessly captures the variations in temperature across the breast tissue in the form of a heat map. It requires no radiation or breast compression and is typically used as a supplementary diagnostic tool for breast cancer detection and cannot replace other standard imaging and clinical methods.
- Breast Tissue Sampling or BiopsyUnlike other tests and techniques, breast biopsy is an invasive procedure in which a small piece of tissue is removed using a special biopsy needle and examined in the diagnostic lab. The patient is put under local or general anesthesia during the procedure and can experience slight bleeding/bruising around the site. It is often prescribed as a follow-up test in cases when something concerning shows up in the preliminary tests. It helps clarify if the abnormal growth is cancerous or benign in nature.
Incorporating self-breast examinations and regular screening tests into your healthcare routine is a mandate one needs to swear by to safeguard breast health. Familiarizing yourself with these tests and honest discussions with healthcare providers can help make a world of difference in adding quality years to your life. Cancer is curable if detected early.
