Click to play videoNew Delhi: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the story today focuses on the prevalence of the disease in India. According to WHO, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in India.
Rama Kaul, a woman in her mid forties, has been through hell and back. A breast cancer survivor, Rama's ordeal started early on. “I thought when it would be time, I will go with my war paint on", says Rama.
She recalls, “Initially it was thought that it's a benign cyst. In fact my doc asked me to wait for a few months before I decided on a surgery but I knew something wasn’t right .I listened to my body and went in for a mammogram."
Two days later she was told she has stage II breast cancer. At 40, she couldn't quite accept the reality then. And she is not alone.
Not only is this cancer hitting sooner, it's not estrogen dependent and is more aggressive.
This form of cancer is called Oestrogen Receptor Negative Cancer and can hit 10 years sooner than the oestrogen fuelled cancer. Along with early incidence, breast cancer rates in India are also rising -- almost 1-2% every year.
The dice seems to be loaded against Asian women, so what can one do to escape the snare or at least minimise the damage? Do a monthly breast self-exam if you are over 20. Get a doctor to do a clinical examination every 3 years if you are over 45. Consult a doctor before using oral contraceptives. In addition to these, keeping a check on diet and regular exercising will help too.
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