A breast cancer survivor urges mothers to undertake an early diagnosis to gain a new lease on life

Middle East, 24th March 2020: As a breast cancer survivor, a 28-year old young mother, oversees Mother's Day as a time of reflection and thankfulness. The young patient was diagnosed with phylloid tumour in her breast which was about 10-12 cm. This was the third time the patient was diagnosed with a cancer. In the past, she had two surgeries to treat her condition. During the third relapse, doctors at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai performed a mastectomy with breast construction immediately- with her own tissue from the breast. Immediate breast reconstruction is always preferred, such that the patient, when regains consciousness finds no change in the breasts, paving way for a positive impact for the life to follow. “Apollo Hospitals, particularly, Dr Sandip Bipte has magic in his hands. When we were informed about him, we wasted no time and immediately approached him for our treatment. Since day one, he has been extremely considerate and clear about my treatment plan. Earlier, I was scared about this surgery, but Dr Bipte ensured that we had the accurate information. His positive outlook to treating my condition was phenomenal. Right from helping us understand the procedures to taking good care of me after the surgery, Dr Bipte has been extremely supportive and caring. As I celebrate Mother’s Day today, I realise that I have been lucky to receive a new lease to life - not once, but thrice. As mothers we generally forget to take care of ourselves, but on this occasion, I’d like to urge all mothers to take absolute care of their health and undertake screenings for breasts regularly,” said the young mother. Most of the females, generally find breast lumps accidentally, either while bathing or during a medical examination. But they delay it to take it to doctors or experts as they think all breast lumps are due to normal changes. Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the world.In the Middle East, the incidents of breast cancer casesare growing rapidly in Middle East women from 16-33.5 % per 100000 population. The main concern is obesity and diet patterns. The changing and sedentarylifestyle is another key cause. While breast cancer can affect any age group from 18-95 years, the most common age group in Middle Eastare females in the age group of 35-50 years due to normal changes and active eastrogenic phase of life during that stage. Apart from that, others breast cancer cases occur in that age group which delay the diagnosis where most females assume it tobe hormonal lumps. As such, an early diagnosis is important. Once it’s diagnosed with mammogram and biopsy, treatment can be offered to patients to help them save lives.Common forms of treatment for breast surgeryincludes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy depending on the stage of illness. It takes 4-5 month to complete all treatment. “Early diagnosis can save women from breast cancer. It is therefore recommended that they know about warning sign and symptoms such as breast lump or axillary lump, blood stain nipple discharge, inverted nipple, change in size of breast and skin thickening of the breasts,” said Dr Sandip Bipte, Consultant Breast Cancer Oncology Apollo Hospitals. The best form of diagnosis is prevention throughself-examination. It is recommended that women from 20 to 75 years of age conduct a breast self-examination on 6th day of period every month. For any doubts they cancontact a medical expert. In addition, a mammogram screening should be done for womenabove 45 years of age, once in three years. High risk women should have annual mammogram or MRI breast depending upon specialist opinion,” added Dr Bipte. Breast cancer is responsible for more than 20% deaths in the world each year, along with more than 17 million new cancer diagnoses each year. Fortunately, new treatments have pushed the disease's five-year survival rate to nearly 90%.This year, Mother's Day may be a time of celebration for many, but for those who are combatting the disease or who have no idea about what’s in store for them, get an early diagnosis. A step today could save a tomorrow.

MUDUVAI HIDAYATH