Awareness key to combat breast cancer: Experts
By IANSWednesday, November 24, 2010
NEW DELHI - Awareness about the causes and ways to check breast cancer early can help combat the disease, experts said here Wednesday.
The incidence of breast cancer is rising in metropolitan cities. The causes include obesity, late marriage, smoking and even alcohol intake, Rajeev Agarwal, oncologist at Sir Ganga Ram hospital in the capital, said at a breast cancer awareness camp.
“If there is enough awareness among women about how to keep a tab on these risk factors, then we can combat the disease easily, Agarwal added.
Late detection and lack of awareness are a major problem in India where one in 22 women is likely to develop breast cancer, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
“Mammography, an early screening protocol, remains the investigation of choice for women above the age of 40. Women with a family history of breast cancer should opt for screening at the age of 30, said Vijay Arora, oncologist at a city-based hospital.
Physical examination by a doctor should be followed by mammography when indicated, the doctors suggested.
Nearly 200 women, including cancer patients, attended the cancer awareness camp at Ganga Ram Hospital.
