BREAST cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in developed and developing countries. more than one million women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Pakistan has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia. One out of nine women in Pakistan is likely to suffer from breast cancer and of the 90,000 cases diagnosed, there are 40,000 deaths every year.

There are different symptoms of breast cancer though some people have no symptoms at all. Symptoms can include any change in the size or the shape of the breast, pain in any area of the breast, nipple discharge other than breast milk (including blood) and a new lump in the breast or underarm.

If you have any signs that worry you, be sure to consult the doctor right away. The best way to combat breast cancer is early detection, whether that is self-examinations or regular mammograms.

There are steps every person can take to help the body stay as healthy as possible, such as eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, get enough sleep, exercising regularly, avoid exposure to chemical that can cause cancer, try to reduce exposure to radiation, breastfeed your babies and limit post-menopausal hormonal therapy. While these may have some impact on your risk of getting breast cancer, they cannot eliminate the risk.

Even though breast cancer is potentially a life-threatening disease, early detection can help save lives. It is imperative that the disease is diagnosed at an early stage so that curative procedures can be undertaken without delay.

Dr Shireen Nazir

Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 6th , 2015

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