Lump On The Road

Women are natural caregivers and nurturers. However, when it comes to self-care, most women are unable to give it priority due to various socio-cultural factors and taboo or stigma attached to certain women health and hygiene conditions. In this blog, we will discuss and understand one such taboo topic of breast cancer.

Impact of Breast Cancer

According to World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer among women. The condition of cancer arises when large number of the old or malfunctioned cells fail to die and hinder the proper functioning of the new and normal cells. Breast cancer develops when such a condition takes place in one of the breasts or both the breasts. It can turn fatal if not detected or treated in time. Therefore, it is imperative to be aware about its indicators.

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Symptoms

• Formation of lumps in the breasts or armpits
• Irritation or wrinkling of the skin, pain, flaky skin, redness in and around the nipple area
• Swelling, pain in the breasts and change in its size or shape
• Discharge of blood or other substances other than milk

Although, most of the lumps that form in the breasts are benign or non-cancerous, it is advisable to consult a doctor to verify whether the lump or tumour is malignant (cancerous) or not.

Tests and procedures for the diagnosis

• Examination of the breasts
• Mammogram or X-ray
• Ultrasound
• Biopsy
• MRI

After the presence of cancer is confirmed, it is essential to check its stage in order to decide the line of treatment. Blood tests, bone scan, CT scan and PET scan are some of the procedures used for it. The stages are determined by assessing the grade of the cancer, proliferation elements and existence of tumour markers like progesterone, receptors for estrogen and HER2. For more than four decades, Cadila has been an active part of cancer therapy. With molecules like Trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, we strive to fight HER2-positive early-stage and metastatic breast cancer.

Every year, millions of women are diagnosed with breast cancer. The reasons behind it are either hereditary or related to lifestyle and environment. Heredity is not in our control, but our lifestyle is. Eat healthy food, exercise regularly and stay away from stress.

Constellation of Scars

Breast cancer greatly impacts a woman’s physical, emotional, psychological and social well-being. The world that we live in constantly judges women for their looks. They are conditioned, generations after generations, to seek societal validation only on the basis of it, even at the cost of their health. Therefore, detection of ailments like breast cancer, dents not just their health but their confidence, concept of self-worth and self-assurance, relationships and perception of life. The examination of breasts, surgery and its scars, loss of hair due to various treatments which drastically change the appearance, are some of the aspects that make women forcibly shed their inhibitions, causing stress and trauma.

In such a scenario, we as a society should consciously create an empathetic environment. It is time to take care of our caregivers, so that they can cope up with this life-altering experience with confidence and courage. One individual, one family, one community, at a time can make a difference.