Breast Cancer Prevention: Act Early

Every year, October is marked as the Breast Cancer Awareness month, a yearly campaign that educates and spreads awareness about breast cancer. World over, including India, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. With early detection breast cancer is curable. However, not everyone is aware of the risk factors, signs, symptoms, treatment, and the ways to prevent or lower the risk of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the abnormal growth of cells lining the ducts and lobule. It can appear on any part of the breast and then spread to different parts of the body, if left untreated. While breast cancer can occur at any age after puberty, it is more common among women who are over 40 years of age. The ICMR-NCDIR National Registry Programme 2020 has observed a significant increase in the incident rates of breast cancer among women, in India. According to the Registry, breast cancer is estimated to contribute about 14.8% of the total cancer burden.

Symptoms and Factors Leading to Breast Cancer:
If you observe any of these symptoms, consult your doctor, the soonest:

• Painless lump: Lump on the breast or underarms: This will be mostly painless, however, it is one of the major symptoms that require your immediate attention.
• Change in contour or symmetry: Inconsistent size of the breast or change in shape: If you notice any change in the size or shape of either of the breasts, it is a sign you mustn’t ignore.
• Skin changes: Peau d'orange or orange peel appearance, redness or rashes on the breast: This could also be a skin problem, nonetheless it is also one of the symptoms of breast cancer and should be examined by your doctor.
• Nipple Retraction or bloody discharge from nipple: If you suffer from any form of discharge from your breasts, particularly, blood, immediately consult your doctor.

Risk Factors and Ways to Prevent Cancer:
As women grow older, the risk of suffering from breast cancer also increases. The chances are higher if a blood relative has breast or ovarian cancer. Thus, it is always better to visit a doctor if you notice the slightest signs and symptoms to avoid greater risks. In fact, experts recommend treatment at the early stage for a more effective result. Besides, women who are forty years or above are advised to get their mammography done yearly for screening.

What are the ways in which we can prevent or lower the risk of breast cancer? According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), between 30 and 50% of cancer cases are preventable, which is the most cost-effective long-term strategy to fight against cancer.

Here are some key recommendations from WHO to prevent or reduce premature mortality through cancer and the main risk factors:

• Tobacco/alcohol Consumption: This is one of the major causes of cancer and a big risk factor that should be avoided to prevent higher chances of mortality.
• Diet: Fried food and packaged should be avoided
• Physical Inactivity: Lack of physical inactivity is one of the reasons for obesity, which is again a leading cause of cancer. Begin regular physical activities like walking, running, and exercises and maintain proper body weight to reduce your chances of getting cancer.
• Breastfeeding: Adequate breast feeding should be encouraged in all the females
• Use of Hormonal therapies: This is one of the risk factors for breast cancer. The use should be minimised.
• Radiation exposure: Avoid unnecessary and excessive exposure to radiation, particularly UV radiation to reduce the risk of any form of cancer.

Our Many Initiatives
Although cancer is one of India's most prevalent and severe diseases, often leading to death, there are dearth of good hospitals and quality care, particularly in India’s smaller cities and rural areas. To combat the significant rise in cancer cases across India, its seriousness, and poor-quality care and treatment, Vedanta established BALCO Medical Centre, in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The aim is to provide quality care, and world-class treatment at an affordable rate for every sector and section of society. BALCO Medical Centre is a 170-bed state-of-the-art tertiary care Oncology facility, the first flagship initiative of Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (VMRF). Through this initiative, Vedanta is not only meeting the needs of cancer patients but transforming their lives and changing the landscape of healthcare.

In 2021-22, BALCO Medical Centre performed several complex clinical procedures, one of them being Lateral intercostal perforator artery flap, Inferior epigastric artery (DIEP) flap for microvascular reconstruction for breast cancer. This was a first in Chhattisgarh. Moreover, the medical centre is also renowned for its advanced treatment of bone and lung cancer and is the first hospital in the State to perform Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant.

As India was grappling with COVID, Vedanta established a 100-bedded BALCO Care Field Hospital, with advanced facilities, for covid patients, within the BALCO Medical Centre premises. With their team of doctors, nurses, specialists and paramedic experts, BALCO Medical Centre helped the Country combat this deadly wave.

In the year 2021, BALCO Medical Centre was conferred with CG Ratna 2021 award. The Medical Centre treats lakhs of patients from across the Country.

On September 17, 2022, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai and Vedanta Medical Research Foundation’s BALCO Medical Centre, Raipur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive excellence in cancer care in India. Together, the two hospitals aim to develop best-in-class technical and medical guidelines, provide excellence in patient care, conduct joint research or multi-centric trials, exchange ideas, and share practices and knowledge on cancer treatment.