Breast Cancer: Experts Speak On The Rising Trend Of The Disease Among Young Women

Breast cancer is a global concern with nearly 2.3 million cases diagnosed worldwide, resulting in 685,000 deaths annually. In India, breast cancer comprises 27.7% of all new cancer cases in women, with one woman diagnosed every 4 minutes and one death occurring every 8 minutes. Lifestyle factors, genetic mutations, and delayed motherhood contribute to increased risk, emphasizing the importance of prevention measures.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer across the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that there were nearly 2.3 million cases of breast cancer diagnosed across the world. Also, 6,85, 000 deaths were reported globally. In India, 27.7% of all new cancers detected in women in 2018 were breast cancers, according to Breast Cancer India.

The report also states that one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, in India, every 4 minutes. One woman dies of Breast cancer, in India, every 8 minutes. It is important to understand the risk factors of the condition and take the necessary steps that can help prevent the disease.
Dr Anupama Mane, Consultant Breast Surgeon at Ruby Hall Clinic Pune said that in the western countries breast cancer usually occurs more in the elderly population, however, in India, it occurs more commonly in at least a decade younger women.

This is attributed to genetic factors like BRCA 1 and 2 mutations or lifestyle factors like obesity, Sedentary habits, junk food diet, not having children, not breastfeeding etc. All the lifestyle changes due to rapid urbanization are predisposing factors for the increase in breast cancer in younger women in India,” said Dr Mane.

Speaking of the prevalence of the disease, she says that 1 in 28 women in India are likely to develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Studies suggest 25-30% of breast cancer cases in India are diagnosed in women under 40, compared to around 15% globally.
Adding to it, Dr Reshma Puranik, Consultant medical oncologist and hemato-oncologist, DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune said postponing motherhood until after 35, coupled with reduced breastfeeding due to busy schedules, elevates breast cancer risk. Additionally, habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption contribute to this risk. Sedentary lifestyles, exacerbated by high stress levels and lack of exercise, further escalate the likelihood of breast cancer in young women.
Dr Aravind Badiger Technical Director BDR Pharmaceuticals speaks from an pharmaceutical perspective. He said, “There has been a concerning trend of breast cancer diagnosis among younger age groups, mighlighting the urgent need for comprehensive interventions tailored to the Indian population.

‘From an Indian pharmaceutical perspective, it is imperative to recognize the unique challenges and Opportunities in combating breast cancer. While survival rates have shown improvement globally, disparities in access to healthcare and treatment remain prevalent in India. Therefore, there is a pressing meed for the pharmaceutical industry to develop affordable and accessible therapies that cater to the Specific needs of Indian patients.”

Dr Badiger also shares that addressing the care gap goes beyond medical interventions and necessitates a holistic approach. This involves raising awareness about breast cancer risk factors, promoting early detection through screening programs, and providing psychosocial support to patients and their families.
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Does Sleeping In Your Bra Cause Breast Cancer?

Wearing bra to bed limits your breast movement, causing breast pain
It is a popular belief among many women that sleeping in a bra can stunt breast growth or even cause breast cancer. However, as opposed to popular belief, there is no medical evidence that says it is bad to sleep with a bra on.
According to experts, wearing a bra to bed limits your breast movement causing breast pain and leading to an uncomfortable sleep.

“Sleeping in your bra itself does not directly increase the risk of breast cancer. There is no credible scientific evidence to support the idea that wearing a bra while sleeping leads to an increased risk of breast cancer. However, there may be an indirect association between sleeping in a bra and breast cancer risk,” Dr. Anupama Mane, Consultant Breast Surgeon at Ruby Hall Clinic told Times Now.

How is sleeping in a bra indirectly related to breast cancer?
According to Dr. Mane, women who mostly wear their bra to sleep for support are often heavy-breasted and overweight. “Obesity is a known risk factor for breast cancer. Thus, the indirect link lies in the correlation between heavy breast size and the increased risk of breast cancer due to obesity. However, it’s essential to note that this association does not imply causation,” she added.
Does sleeping in a bra prevent your breasts from sagging?
As you age, your breasts begin to sag, and whether you wear a pushup bra or not, it would not matter. According to doctors, it is a natural and completely normal phenomenon. Muscle ligaments in your breasts stretch over time, leading them to sag.
A few other common reasons for breasts to sag include:
Genetics
Traits like skin elasticity, breast size, and tissue density can play a role in how your breasts may look over time.
Gravity
Gravity can take a toll over time.
Body habits
Constantly gaining and losing weight can cause a loss of elasticity.
Hormonal changes during menopause
Menopause brings in a decrease in estrogen, which can cause breast tissue to lose elasticity.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Since the breasts grow during pregnancy, there’s a higher chance the breast tissue will stretch and the ligaments will become loose.
Smoking
The nicotine in cigarette smoke causes elastin to break down in the body, which causes the skin to droop.
What causes breast cancer?
Breast cancer happens when breast cells mutate and become cancerous cells that multiply and form tumors. This cancer typically affects women aged 50 and older, but it can also affect men, as well as younger women.
Doctors say several risk factors may increase your chances of developing breast cancer. A few of these include, “genetics, lifestyle, hormonal influences, and environmental factors. While obesity is indeed a risk factor for breast cancer, it’s just one of many potential factors, and sleeping in a bra is not among the established risk factors,” said Dr. Mane.
What are the complications of breast cancer?
The most significant complication is metastatic breast cancer as breast cancer spreads to other areas of your body, including your brain, bones, liver, and lungs.
According to studies, 1 in 3 women who have early-stage cancer later develop metastatic breast cancer. 1
How to sleep with your bra on?
• If you choose to sleep with your bra on, make sure you wear something that is loose, soft, and flexible, which means you can wear your old bra. • Do not go for underwires at night.
• A bra with cotton fabric is always a good choice because it is breathable
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breast cancer myths and facts

MYTH AND FACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCER

In India, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. 1 in 22 women in urban India is at risk of being affected by breast cancer. Due to poor cancer awareness, women in India are generally diagnosed at a later, more advanced stage of breast cancer leading to poor outcome.

Here are some myths and facts of breast cancer, to increase awareness of breast cancer – 

  1. Myth: I don’t have a family history of breast cancer, then I won’t get it.

Fact: Amongst the total number of breast cancer cases, only 5-10% of people  have a family history of breast cancer. It is not just an inherited disease. There are other risk factors, like obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption that increases a person’s risk of developing breast cancer.

However, if you have a family history of breast cancer, do regular self-examination of your breasts and go for regular cancer screenings.

  1. Myth: Wearing a bra can cause breast cancer.

Fact: There is no  evidence to support  the myth that wearing bras causes breast cancer.

  1. Myth: Only women can get breast cancer

Fact: This is the biggest misconception about breast cancer. Although it is rare, men can also get breast cancer, as they also have breast tissue. Older men are at greater risk of developing breast cancer, but it can be found in young men too. Symptoms of breast cancer are the same in men and women.

  1. Myth: I have a lump in my breast which means I have breast cancer

Fact: Although a breast lump is a sign of breast cancer, a lump in the breast does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer. It can be non-cancerous lump. Of all the breast lumps approximately 90% turn out to be noncancerous. To diagnose the lump you have, visit a breast cancer doctor and do proper screening and check-up.

  1. Myth: Deodorants and antiperspirants can cause breast cancer

Fact: This is not true. People think that harmful chemicals present in deodorants and antiperspirants get absorbed into the lymph nodes and spread to the breast cells, causing cancer. But it is just a misconception. No such evidence has been found.

  1. Myth: Breast cancer always causes a lump you can feel

Fact: It is not always true. Lumps can take time to develop. Several other symptoms can indicate breast cancer such as changes to the nipple and its surrounding area, nipple discharge, swelling of the skin, and change in the colour or the thickening of the breast. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a breast cancer specialist.

  1. Myth: Annual mammograms reduces your risk of breast cancer 

Fact: No. Mammography does not reduce the risk of getting breast cancer. It only detects the breast cancer early. Early detection helps in saving lives.

If you still have any doubts about breast cancer, contact Dr. Anupama Mane, best breast cancer specialist in Pune. She has vast experience in Benign (non-cancerous) surgery, Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment.

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Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast Cancer Specialist in Pune – Dr. Anupama Mane

Generally, women have to experience surgery as part of their treatment. There are various types of surgeries for breast cancer, and the procedure is done for different reasons, based on person to person.

Are you suffering from breast pain, breast cancer symptoms or any breast-related problems? If yes then get the appointment for one of the well-known Breasts Cancer Surgeon in Pune Dr. Anupama Mane and among the first few Breast Surgeon in India to develop breast surgery as a subspecialty in Onco surgery. She is practicing as a Senior Consultant Breast Surgeon at Jehangir Hospital and Deccan Clinic, Pune. She provides the best Breast Cancer Treatment in Pune. 

Today’s need is to know all information about every medical issue and also you all need about which type of breast cancer and what exactly treatment on this cancer. If your doctor has suggested you surgery for breast cancer or you want more information about it, then read this article to know all about different types of surgeries involved to treat breast cancer.

Why Breast Cancer Surgery is done?

Breast Cancer surgery is done for various reasons, such as:

  1. Removing cancer to a great extent as possible.
  2. To recognize whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under the arms.
  3. To reduce signs of advanced breast cancer.
  4. To restore the shape and size of the breast after the cancer is removed.

Based on your particular reason, your medical background, and cancer features, your doctor would advise you a certain kind of surgery. It is necessary to know about all the available options so that you can talk about them with your expert and make a proper choice.

Different Stages of Breast Cancer Surgery

Breast cancer surgery is used to cure cancer of most stages, including:

Breast Surgeon in Pune

People at high risk of breast cancer – Individuals with a high risk of breast cancer based on family background or the ailment may have to undergo breast cancer surgery. It is because certain gene mutation or noncancerous breast biopsy may stop the ailment from extending further to other body parts.

Breast Cancer of Early Stage – It is possible to heal small breast cancers with mastectomy or lumpectomy with or without breast reconstruction surgery followed by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy or targeted therapy.

Non-invasive Breast Cancer – Women diagnosed with DCIS or Ductal Carcinoma in Situ may experience lumpectomy that is followed further with radiation therapy. In a small number of cases, mastectomy without or with breast reconstruction may also be performed.

Recurrent Breast Cancer – There are several cases where breast cancer may happen again after the early treatment process. In this case, additional surgery is performed along with other additional treatments.

Large Breast Cancer – The breast cancer tumor of bigger size is cured with mastectomy, which is followed after chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy.

Breast Cancer Surgeries 

There are two main types of surgeries involved to remove breast cancer:

Mastectomy – It is a surgical procedure where the complete breast is removed, including the breast tissues as well as other tissues nearby. There are many distinct kinds of mastectomies. Some of the women may also get done a double mastectomy where both the breasts are removed.

Breast-Conserving Surgery –This type of surgery is also known as lumpectomy, quadrantectomy, segmental mastectomy, or partial mastectomy. In this surgery, only one part of the breast that contains cancer is removed. The main aim is to obtain rid of cancer as well as some surrounding common tissues. The part of the breast to be removed completely depends on the location and size of the tumor as well as more other factors.

Which Surgery You Must Prefer – Mastectomy or Breast-Conserving Surgery?

One critical question posed by most women suffering from early-stage cancer is to decide between Mastectomy and Breast-Conserving Surgery or BCS.  The main advantage of BCS is that it allows a woman to keep most of her breast. But in this case, she will also need radiation. Women who get a mastectomy to cure early-stage cancer are less likely to receive radiation.

In a few cases, mastectomy is a better option where the breast cancer tumor is large in size. If you are under worry that having a less extensive surgery would raise your possibility of experiencing cancer again, and then this is not the case. Generally, in some cases, mastectomy does not provide any chance of long-term survival or better results from the treatment. As per the studies, it is possible to execute BCS along with radiation therapy when mastectomy is unable to deliver better chances of survival.

Surgeries Performed to Remove Nearby Lymph Nodes

To recognize whether the breast cancer has spread to axillary lymph nodes or underarm, one or more of the lymph nodes is removed and examined under the microscope. It is an important part of determining the extent of cancer. Lymph nodes are removed either as part of the surgery to remove a breast cancer or as a separate surgery.

The two main types of surgeries performed to eliminate lymph nodes are:

SLNB or Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy – In this method of surgery, the surgeon removes just the lymph node under the arm to which the cancer is expected to spread on an initial basis. Removing one or more such lymph nodes reduces the possibility of side effects from surgery.

ALND or Axillary Lymph Node Dissection – In this procedure, the surgeon removes many lymph nodes from under the arm.

Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Women who experience surgery for breast cancer are offered the option to have breast reconstruction.

If the women have undergone through a mastectomy, then she might want the breast wound to rebuild to restore the look of the breast after surgery. In numerous cases of breast-conserving surgeries, a woman might consider getting fat grafting in the affected breast to resolve dimples left from the surgery. Such an option depends on the particular condition of a woman.

If you want to have reconstructive surgery, it is better that you discuss the same with your Breast Cancer Specialist. This gives the surgery team sufficient time to map out the treatment that might work best for you.

Advanced-Stage Breast Cancer Surgery

Though surgery will not likely cure breast cancer, which has spread to other body parts, it can still be helpful in several situations. It can be useful to relieve symptoms or reduce the pace of the spread of cancer.

The surgery for advanced stage breast cancer is performed when:

  • The breast tumor results in an open wound in the chest or breast.
  • An area of the cancer increase applies force on the spinal cord.
  • To heal blockage in the liver.
  • To treat multiple small areas affected by cancer known as metastases, in a particular body part like brain.
  • To offer relief from breast cancer symptoms and pain.

There are various kinds of surgeries performed to fight breast cancer. Explore our clinic to find out about the latest treatment options, interventions and tests performed to treat, diagnose, prevent, cure, heal and manage breast cancer. Read More…

Book Appointment Now with Breast Cancer Surgeon in Pune, India – Dr. Anupama Mane, Deccan Clinic, Pune.

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