Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection, Lifestyle Factors, and Advances in Care - Dr Nikhil Dharmadhikari

Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as an important reminder of how awareness, screening and medical innovation can significantly improve outcomes for women. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women worldwide, yet with timely detection and the right interventions, survival rates are steadily increasing.

The Importance of Early Detection:

To begin with, the most reliable early detection method one can think of to increase the survival rate and lessen the need for very harsh treatment is the case when breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the cancer is very much treatable, and the patients very often have the option of going through less intrusive surgeries and with the same or even better outcomes.

It is recommended that self-breast examinations be started by every woman in her twenties so that she can get accustomed to the normal appearance and feeling of her breasts. In case of any new lump, constant pain, skin dimpling, or nipple discharge, a doctor’s visit should be done without delay.

Mammography is still the best method for cancer screening, and women aged 40 and over are advised to have their yearly or biennial mammograms done. For the ladies with a medical history of breast or ovarian cancer, it might be necessary to start screenings earlier and have them done more often.

The combination of regular screening with the knowledge of personal risk factors still stands as the most effective measure against the occurrence of breast cancer in advanced stages.

Lifestyle Risk Factors and Prevention:

Non-modifiable risk factors include age, family history of breast cancer, and genetics. Knowing this, lifestyle choices of obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol, and smoking have been associated with breast cancer risk, as well as hormones such as early menarche, late menopause, having children late in life, or long-term use of hormone replacement therapy.

Preventive steps include maintaining a healthy body weight, consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, engaging in regular physical activity, and limiting alcohol intake.

Breastfeeding has also been associated with a reduced risk. These lifestyle modifications not only lower the chances of developing breast cancer but also contribute to better overall health.

Awareness should go beyond screening and focus on prevention. Educating women about modifiable risk factors and encouraging regular health check-ups can play a vital role in lowering the overall burden of the disease.

Advancements in Breast Imaging:

Significant progress has been made in the field of breast imaging, enhancing both accuracy and patient comfort. Digital mammography and 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) have improved the ability to detect smaller and earlier-stage cancers, especially in women with dense breast tissue.

Breast MRI and contrast-enhanced mammography offer detailed visualisation for complex cases, improving diagnostic confidence.

The integration of artificial intelligence in breast imaging has further refined diagnostic precision by assisting radiologists in identifying subtle changes and reducing false positives. These technological advancements allow for earlier intervention and better treatment planning, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Evolving Treatment Approaches:

In the last several decades, the treatment of breast cancer has gone from being the same for every patient to being based on the biology of the tumour, such as its hormone receptor and HER2 expression status. These advances have allowed more effective therapies with fewer side effects to be employed.

Surgeons treat through breast-conserving surgery and oncoplastic breast surgery, and therapists radiate around a smaller volume near the tumour to avoid unnecessary radiation to normal tissues; these actions have also changed.

Chemotherapy regimens have been developed for maximising the benefits while limiting the adverse effects and have been incorporated into personalised medicine. New treatment options exist for more aggressive and advanced cancers through immunotherapy and targeted gene-based drugs.

These developments have had an impact on survival for these patients. They also impacted their quality of life.

In conclusion, Breast Cancer Awareness Month highlights the importance of vigilance, regular screenings, and healthy living. With advancements in imaging, targeted treatments, and awareness of lifestyle risks, survival rates continue to improve.

Empowering women through education, routine check-ups, and timely intervention remains vital in reducing the disease’s impact.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Health Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Health Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.