New Delhi: Cancer is the most dangerous and threatening health burden in India currently, among all the cancers, breast cancer is the most common and accounts for about 28.2 per cent of all the female cancers. Breast cancer ranks as the second highest reported cancer with 2.3 million cases across the world. Over the most recent decade, researchers have demonstrated that integrating mammography with breast self-evaluation (BSE) lessens breast cancer death rates by 41 per cent as well as trims down incidences of advanced breast cancer by 25 per cent showing how early spotting improves chances of survival through the use of breast self-evaluation.
Talking about the importance of self examination of breast cancer, Dr Sreedharan M, Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospital Goa shared with News9, “A breast self-exam is a step-by-step method that a woman does at home to look for changes in her breast. By doing breast self-exam regularly one will get familiarised with the way their breasts look and feel normally. This is also called breast self-awareness which helps one to identify any changes in their breast at an early stage. Ideally, BSE is done once a month.”
For women who are menstruating, this is recommended 5 days after the periods end. For women who have attained menopause BSE is recommended on the same day of every month. The main advantage of BSE is that it can be done at home without the requirement of any special equipment. It is also painless, non-invasive, inexpensive and quick. In a woman with breast self-awareness, who regularly does BSE, this can help detect cancers at an early stage where it is easy to treat.
How to do the self-examination of breast cancer at home?
According to Dr Sreedharan, “BSE essentially consists of two main components – visual examination and palpation (manual examination). The visual examination begins with one standing in front of the mirror with the arms by the side. One should then look for changes in the skin – redness, dimpling/puckering, nipple retraction, discharge from the nipple, or change in contour/shape of the breast. Then the palm is kept on the hips and pressed firmly to contract the chest muscles. One should again look for the above-mentioned changes if present.”
“The manual examination is done in two positions – standing and lying down. In both positions, with the flats of your middle fingers (index, middle, and ring fingers) press on the breast gently at first and then firmly. This is done in a circular pattern so that no spots are missed. Care should be taken not to miss the area behind the areola. One should look for the feeling of any new lumps/knots, thickening or any discharge from the nipple while examination. Any changes in the breasts discovered during a breast self-exam should be reported to the doctor right away.”
One of the main barriers to successfully implementing BSE is the lack of compliance among the general public. Some studies have shown that less than 40 per cent of women who were taught BSE, do it regularly. In the rural population, this is found to be even lower at 5 per cent.
Hereditary plays a major role
Involving the partners of the women in BSE classes has been shown to increase compliance. There are certain individuals in whom the risk of breast cancer is higher than the general population. Women with BRCA mutation, first-degree relatives of individuals with BRCA mutation, radiation to the chest area before the age of 30, hereditary syndromes such as Cowden syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or a personal history of breast cancer or ductal or lobular carcinoma in situ have a high lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
Factors that are attributed to this include lack of awareness, missing the schedule, fear of ‘finding’ a problem, or simply boredom. Spreading information through television and social media, and keeping pamphlets, brochures, and flyers pasted at home can increase BSE compliance; A combination of educational approaches with BSE classes – using audio-visuals, use of silicone breast models, support groups, behaviour contracting, and positive reinforcement by healthcare provider significantly increase compliance. Regular instructions in the BSE classes provide the knowledge and skills and contribute to a sense of self-confidence.
According to expert, breast self-evaluation (BSE) reduces breast cancer death rates by 41 per cent as well as trims down incidences of advanced breast cancer by 25 per cent showing how early spotting improves chances of survival through the use of breast self-evaluation. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
