Raising Awareness, Breaking Rigidity, Reducing Tragedy

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October 1st-October 31st) 
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Women, Be Safe than Sorry!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month where thousands of organizations worldwide conduct campaigns and events to spread awareness and make people realize the need to get themselves detected as early as possible to avoid life-threatening consequences later. Consistently organizing such campaigns has increased survival rates but stepping out of danger is only half the bridge crossed. Breast cancer can shatter a woman’s emotional wellbeing where she isolates herself from the rest of the society living in constant fear of cancer reoccurrence and lack of confidence.
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Heart-breaking Stats
There are about 1.38 million new cases and 4,58,000 deaths due to breast cancer every year (on an average) making it the commonest cancer form in women worldwide. India fairs worse in breast cancer rates and the average onset rate has dipped by a full decade. Onset is expected anytime between 45 and 50 years compared to 60 years and above as previously noted. Worse, a study in the Lancet journal shows that breast cancer rates have risen by over 40% in the last 2-3 decades making it the No.1 type of cancer occurring in women in our country. This tremendous increase in rates is due to unavailability of adequate medical facilities, lack of awareness and much stigma associated with the disease.
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There has been substantial improvement in early detection rates across the country, thanks to organizations such as the Indian Cancer Society that keep repeatedly emphasizing on early detection needs, conducting camps and advertising frequently.

Early Detection is the Key
On a positive note, most of the cancers that strike women including breast, cervical, uterine and ovarian cancers are associated with increased survival rates when detected and treated at an early stage. If this was followed diligently, we could have prevented the death of more than 6,27,000 women who died from breast cancer in 2018 (WHO statistics). Unable to single out any key cause until now, early detection via diagnosis and screening remains the only efficient option available for breast cancer control.
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1. Ensure to get a mammography done every year once you cross the age of 40
2. Self-examine your breasts regularly and immediately report any lumps or nodes in the breast to your physician. Also, be on the lookout for liquid discharge from the breast, inverted nipples, change in size or shape or constant pain.
3. Avoid smoking and alcohol, lead a healthy lifestyle and minimize intake of fatty foods to minimize breast cancer risk
4. Don’t pay heed to myths surrounding breast cancer that can frighten you further
   
   

Nutrition & Health
Following a nutritious diet and leading a healthy lifestyle are sure ways to stay abreast with breast cancer prevention. The tips here are useful for preventing breast cancer, while getting yourself treated or post-treatment of the disease:
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1. Maintain a healthy weight especially beyond 18 years of age as even a 10% increase in weight increases your breast cancer risk while a 10% decrease in overweight/obesity decreases your risk substantially
2. Eat more of plant-based foods that are rich in fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals that are excellent ways of decreasing your risk of disease due to their anti-cancer properties
3. Avoid saturated and trans-fats and eat balanced portions of healthy fat such as nuts, seeds, fatty fish and olive oil
4. Soy-this has been the most controversial food for breast cancer treatment and there are hundreds of rumors doing their rounds supporting or opposing their inclusion in our diet. If you still wish to eat it, consume soy in moderate portions. Read more on the various studies that worship soy as the superfood for breast cancer and also those that condemn its use blaming it as a catalyst of breast cancer from the website www.firsteatright.com.
5. There is no harm in continuing your exercise even after detection of cancer as long as you discuss it with your physician and get his/her approval. Exercise might even reduce nausea, stress and pain while undergoing treatment keeping you strong and active
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Do the little that you can showing your support and contribution-wear a pink ribbon all through the month, condemn false propagandas, donate for a cause and educate the illiterate about breast cancer. Major landmark buildings across the cities appear pink in color, banners are visible in every major junction and hospitals/clinics too offer discounted prices on mammography and breast cancer screening test. With such vigorous campaigning it is possible to arrest breast cancer in the initial stages and save every soul affected by it.