Screening for breast cancer

Verified by Dr. Nita Nair, Lead Consultant Breast Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai

Breast cancer is the most common cancer occurring in women in India. The survival rate of patients with breast cancer is poor in India as compared to Western countries due to late stage of disease at presentation and delayed initiation of cancer directed treatment. Early detection is our best step forward and leads to cure.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), survival rates drop dramatically when women present with advanced cases of breast cancer. Studies have shown that most patients with breast cancer present themselves for the first time at stages two and three of the cancer, indicating the need for increased community awareness and early detection of the disease.

Some of the methods for early detection and screening for breast cancer include:

• Self-breast examination: SBE enables a woman to learn the specific features of her breast, to know how her breasts normally feels. This aids to identify changes in the breast if any in the future. Breast self-examination consists of two basic steps: visual (through vision) and tactile (through touch) examination of the breast.
• Clinical breast examination (CBE): This involves an examination of the breast by a health care professional, such as a breast cancer specialist. It includes both inspection (looking) as well as palpation (feeling) of the breast. The areas examined include the entire breast/chest area (including the lymph nodes), above and below the collarbone, and under each arm to look for any swelling or lumps, nipple discharge or skin changes.
• Mammography: A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are the most widely used method to screen for breast cancer.

Who should opt for screening

• Mammography / CBE is recommended for women between the age of 40-75 years of age, once in two years.
• For women with high risk (family history or genetic mutations) the recommendations are different, and you should seek an opinion from your breast surgeon for the details of the same. 

Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai has an exclusive women clinician led ‘Apollo Women’s Cancer Prevention Clinic’ that helps women of all age groups to prevent as well as detect women-specific cancers at an early stage. If you or your loved one do notice any abnormal signs in the breast, connect with our women cancer clinician, Dr. Nita Nair, Lead Consultant Breast Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai at the earliest.

Call 022 6280 6280 for an appointment.