Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women globally. Incidence of breast cancer is increasing rapidly in developing countries to which otherwise second common next to cervical cancer. This could be due to adoption of urban life style in developing countries like Nigeria.

File Photo: Breast examination

Who are the victims of breast cancer? No one knows exactly why some women get breast cancer but we need to know the risk factors, risk factors cannot be changed which are default in nature. Age – chances of getting breast cancer as women gets older more than 40 years. Personal – early onset of menses before 12 years, late menopause behind 50 years.

Family history: – when a mother or sister has breast cancer history.

Controllable risk factors are: overweight, alcohol, smoking, not having children and having your child after 35 years, OCP for long period.

Is there a way to prevent Brest cancer? Yes, we can by getting breast cancer screening which means checking breast for cancer before it develops.   Self-breast examination start from 20 years of age monthly – Doctors examination every year by your family doctors after the age of 30 years. Mammogram from the age of 45 years every year. When to get in touch with the doctor? When you notice the following: – Lump in the breast, change in size and shape of the breast Nipple discharge, nipple inversion, changes in the skin over the breast.

Dr. Pandu Dasappa is a Senior Consultant Surgical Oncology, Institute of Cancer, Apollo Hospital Bangalore, [email protected], [email protected].