5 Essential self-checks every woman must do to spot breast cancer early!

Stay ahead of breast cancer with these simple, life-saving self-checks. Early detection can make all the difference—start today!

As we are into breast cancer awareness month, it is important to discuss one of the most prevalent cancers impacting women worldwide. This year focuses on not only understanding breast cancer but also its stages and treatment.

While people talk about treatment, there is one significant aspect which most people miss out on- diagnosing it during the early stages, which increases the chances of survival.

Indiatoday spoke with Dr Rajeev Kumar, Sr. Consultant & Chief of Breast Services, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) to get more insights.

With the rate at which breast cancer is increasing in the country, there is an urgent need to make people more aware of the signs and symptoms.

The country witnessed an increase of more than 178,000 new cases in 2020, and it has been reported to be the most common cancer among urban women.

According to the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) in India, breast cancer has surpassed cervical cancer in prevalence, yet people are not aware of the early signs and symptoms.

While self-diagnosis is no substitute for professional medical examination, the knowledge of performing self-checks and what signs to look for can make a huge difference.

It can help people identify early signs and unusual changes, hiring them for timely access to medical care before gets too late.

Know You're Normal: This is usually a game-changer. One should be well aware of the look and feel of her body and any changes in size, shape or texture can indicate a red flag.

A consistent lump in the breast, might not be uncomfortable initially, but it can gradually grow larger. At times, the skin around the breast might tighten up, leading to a dimpled appearance. One should not wait to go to a medical practitioner, in case she witnesses any such symptoms.

Lumps in the breast/ underarms: A lump or new mass is usually one of the most common symptoms; however, not all lumps are cancerous. A hard lump which is not regular in shape, painful or painless can be good. One should begin by standing before a mirror and using fingertips to explore the breasts in circular motions. The entire area should be covered, even under the armpits, since the breast tissue extends up there.

Changes in the nipple: Any abnormal discharge from the nipple, especially if it is bloody or without any pressure, can be considered a red flag. Any sudden nipple inversion or a sudden change in position can lead to scaling, redness or inflammation around the nipple area. Nipples should not do this suddenly without an identifiable cause, so it is important to keep an eye on any such change.

Pain persisting in localised areas: While most breast cancer is painless in the early stages, still persistent localised soreness that does not correlate with menstrual cycle occurrences could indicate something serious. Pain that coincides with lumps or other abnormalities should be quickly referred to a healthcare provider. If anyone notices recurring soreness in a specific breast region, coinciding with other irregularities, such as lumps or swelling, it should not be ignored.

Swelling in the armpits, too, should not be ignored: breast tissue does extend into the armpits, so swelling or lumps in the lymph nodes in this region is also amongst the first signs of cancer. The lymphatic system helps disarm immune responses from the rest of the body, so swelling should be taken seriously.

Lymph nodes are precious to the immune system, and when they become inflamed, it is often because the body is fighting something.

Changes in lifestyle patterns are increasingly contributing to the rise of breast cancer cases. In India, breast cancers are appearing a decade earlier than in the Western countries, majorly due to changes in diet, physical activity, increased stress levels, work-life imbalances and more and more younger women are getting exposed to breast cancer today.

The bigger issue is most of the cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in advanced stages and far too late. A very early stage can dramatically increase survival chances, and so it is extremely important not to delay.