By:

Neha Shetty, Manisha Tripathi ,

Saumya Singh &

Nishant Dalwadi

Most people who have breast cancer symptoms and signs will initially notice only one or two, and the presence of these symptoms and signs do not automatically mean that you have breast cancer.

By performing monthly breast self-exams, you will be able to more easily identify any changes in your breast.

A CHANGE IN HOW THE BREAST OR NIPPLE FEELS

Nipple tenderness or a lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area

A change in the skin texture or an enlargement of pores in the skin of the breast

A lump in the breast (It’s important to remember that all lumps should be investigated by a healthcare professional, but not all lumps are cancerous.)

A CHANGE IN THE BREAST OR NIPPLE APPEARANCE

Any unexplained change in the size or shape of the breast

Dimpling anywhere on the breast

Unexplained swelling of the breast

Unexplained shrinkage of the breast

Recent asymmetry of the breasts

Nipple that is turned slightly inward or inverted

Skin of the breast, areola, or nipple that becomes scaly, red, or swollen or may have ridges or pitting resembling the skin of an orange

ANY NIPPLE DISCHARGE—PARTICULARLY

CLEAR DISCHARGE OR BLOODY DISCHARGE

It is also important to note that a milky

discharge that is present when a woman

is not breastfeeding should be checked

by her doctor, although it is not linked

with breast cancer.

ONCE A MONTH•Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams at least once a month.

•Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.

•While mammograms can help you to detect cancer before you can feel a lump, breast self-exams help you to be familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can alert your healthcare professional if there are any changes.

HOW SHOULD A BREAST SELF-EXAM BE PERFORMED?1) IN THE SHOWER Using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a circular

pattern moving from the outside to the center, checking the entire breast and armpit area. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, or hardened knot. Notice any changes and get lumps evaluated by your healthcare provider.

2) IN FRONT OF A MIRROR Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms

high overhead.

Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women's breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.

3) LYING DOWN When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall.

Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently in small circular motions covering the entire breast area and armpit.

Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

Myth No.1:Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

THE TRUTH

Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer. But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored. It is very important that you see a physician for a clinical breast exam. He or she may possibly order breast imaging studies to determine if this lump is of concern or not.

Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor, getting an annual clinical breast exam, and scheduling your routine screening mammograms.

Myth No.2:Men do not get breast cancer; it affects women only.

THE TRUTH While the percentage is still small, men should

also check themselves periodically by doing a breast self-exam while in the shower and reporting any changes to their physicians.

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.

Myth No.3: A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.THE TRUTH•A mammogram, or x-ray of the breast, currently remains the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer. Breast compression while getting a mammogram cannot cause cancer to spread.

•The standard recommendation is an annual mammographic screening for women beginning at age 40. Base your decision on your physician's recommendation and be sure to discuss any remaining questions or concerns you may have with your physician.

Myth No. 4: If you have a family history of breast cancer, you are likely to develop breast cancer, too.

THE TRUTH While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher

risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. Statistically only about 10% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of this disease.

If you have a first degree relative with breast cancer: If you have a mother, daughter, or sister who developed breast cancer below the age of 50, you should consider some form of regular diagnostic breast imaging starting 10 years before the age of your relative’s diagnosis.

If you have a second degree relative with breast cancer: If you have had a grandmother or aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk increases slightly, but it is not in the same risk category as those who have a first degree relative with breast cancer.

If you have multiple generations diagnosed with breast cancer on the same side of the family, or if there are several individuals who are first degree relatives to one another, or several family members diagnosed under age 50, the probability increases that there is a breast cancer gene contributing to the cause of this familial history.

Myth No. 5: Breast cancer is contagious.

THE TRUTH

You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer

it to someone else's body. Breast cancer is

the result of uncontrolled cell growth of

mutated cells that begin to spread into

other tissues within the breast. However, you

can reduce your risk by practicing a

healthy lifestyle, being aware of the risk

factors, and following an early detection

plan so that you will be diagnosed early if

breast cancer were to occur.

Myth No.6: Antiperspirants and

deodorants cause breast cancer.

THE TRUTH

Researchers are not aware of any

conclusive evidence linking the use of

underarm antiperspirants or deodorants

and the subsequent development of

breast cancer.

It is necessary to understand that if there is tumor developed in your

breasts, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have breast cancer.

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Radiation therapy

Hormonal therapy

Nutrition & Physical Therapy

It is necessary to choose the right doctor

and also decide whether to opt for standard

treatment or clinical treatment. After therapy

is undertaken, follow – up care is equally

required.

Breast cancer is the MOST COMMON CANCER in women all over India and accounts for 25% to 31% of all cancers in women in Indian cities. (Source: PBCR 2009 - 2011)

We are witnessing an AGE SHIFT, and the average age of developing breast cancer has shifted from 50 - 70 years to 30 - 50 years; and cancers in the young tend to be more aggressive.

Awareness and understanding of this disease is half the war won.

According to GLOBOCAN (WHO), for the year 2012, an estimated 70218 women died in India due to breast cancer, more than any other country in the world (second: China - 47984 deaths and third: US - 43909 deaths ).

In India, many non oncology medical professionals (General Surgeons, Gynecologists etc.) tend to treat breast cancer themselves, there are a lot of incorrect decisions, unwanted investigations, and inadequate surgeries, and this directly affects the outcome and longevity of the patient.

According to recent statistics, in case of Urban areas,1 out of

every 28 women suffer from breast cancer. In case of Rural areas,

1 out of every 60 women suffer from breast cancer.

The following pie-charts and bar graphs

depict the results derived from a sample

survey conducted amongst 80 people.

This will help us in debunking various

myths that people have about breast

cancer and also show the amount of

awareness.

97%

3%

response

yes no

50%50%

response

yes no

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

genetic env touch deo's radiation caffeine stress

RESPO

NSES

CAUSES

yes

34%

no

66%

responses

yes

45%no

55%

responses

The above question was an open

question. Responses that we received

were based on respondents personal

knowledge.

Blood clots and lumps formed in the

breast were the prime symptoms stated

by the respondents.

yes

52%

no

48%

response

yes

20%

no

80%

response

yes

21%

no

79%

response

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

newspaper tv banners demonstrations social media doctor relatives

RESPO

NSE

MODES

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Balanced Diet Weight Mgmt. Early Detection Less Smoking & Alcohol

RESPO

NSES

REASONS OF REDUCED RISKS

• According to responses received by the

respondents we have found out various

answers which as under:

1. 4-6 months

2. 2-3 years

3. Depends on the cancer seriousness

4. Not curable

yes

57%

no

43%

response

yes

19%

no

81%

response

yes

57%

no

43%

response

It seems that people are aware about breast cancer but they are moderately aware of its causes as well as symptoms.

It is scientifically proven that breast cancer is either genetic or due to environmental factors.

Neither the type of bra you wear nor the tightness of it has any connection to breast cancer risk. It is just a myth.

Injuries do not cause breast cancer.

Early detection helps to prevent breast cancer.

Blood test helps to detect whether you have cancerous genes in your DNA or not.

The sample survey conducted by us concludes that people have a vague idea about breast cancer but not many of them practice the habit of self-test.

Based on the response received through

questionnaires, the most feasible

amongst various modes of

communication were:

1. Television

2. Newspaper Ads

3. Kiosks at Malls (Demonstrations)

4. Social Media

TV Ad can be made for wide-spread

awareness.

It may be a costly affair but guarantees

wider appeal.

Cancer NGO

volunteers can

provide people with

knowledge of

breast-cancer and ways of self-test via

pamphlets, AV

presentations and

live demonstrations.

Social media is the

fastest way to spread

awareness regarding

breast cancer self-

exam. Using platforms

like YouTube to promote

Ads and Facebook and

Twitter to promote links

and pictures, we can receive a much larger

audience.