What is cancer, how does it happen, what are its symptoms and how can it be avoided. These are some of the questions that remain in the mind of women regarding breast cancer. One in every 10 women in India is suffering from breast cancer and experts say that the number of women suffering from this disease of breast cancer has increased rapidly in the last few years.

The incidence of breast cancer has been increasing for a long time. One out of every eight women in India suffers from breast cancer. Although it occurs in men too, very rarely. Office with household chores and then the kids! The life of today's women is so complicated that they do not get time for themselves. In the midst of all this, she is unable to pay attention to her health. There are many common diseases in women, which they have to deal with in their everyday lifestyle. One of them is breast cancer. 

We at Medicircle are aiming to draw awareness on the symptoms and treatments available for breast cancer to reduce the incidence of breast cancer. 

Dr. Ashutosh Chauhan completed his postgraduation in General Surgery at a famous university in Mumbai and is also a diplomat of the National Board of Examination for the same. He has done a postdoctoral Fellowship in surgical oncology, from Mumbai, and also obtained DNB in surgical oncology, from the National Board of Examination, Delhi. He has also been trained in translational research at Raynes Institute, Kings College Hospital, London.

Dr. Chauhan's key area of expertise is breast oncology (breast conservation surgery, oncoplastic breast surgery, and breast reconstruction, following ablative surgery) and head & neck Surgery (mandible preservation and form preservation surgery in oral cancers).

Breast cancer in young females 

Dr. Ashutosh Chauhan says, “Breast cancer can occur in young girls. Around 30 % of patients in the young category get affected by breast cancer. The young category means less than 45 years of age for those who are undergoing menstruation. The incidence of breast cancer is high in young females too.”

Is breast cancer genetic?

Dr. Ashutosh Chauhan says, “Breast cancers have some risk factor as follows- 

Genetic causes account for 15 % of breast cancer while 20 % for ovarian cancer Estrogen-induced factor- Estrogen is a female hormone in women which affects breast proliferation. Exposure to high levels of estrogen is causing breast cancer. This increases the risk of breast cancer at an early age  Diet habits  Lifestyle modifications.”

Warning signals of breast cancer 

Dr Ashutosh Chauhan says, “The main important signal of breast cancer is - 

Painless lump. Breast pain is a common condition in young females. If there is a painless lump in the breast, women tend to ignore it most of the time. So, the signals of breast cancer are - 

Painless lump  Any lump which is gradually slowly increasing in size  Skin changes with pitting and thickening of sin  Skin redness  Firm palpable lump on breast examination 

These are dangerous signals.”

Breast cancer treatments 

Dr. Ashutosh Chauhan informs, “Breast cancer has many treatments which are curable at an early stage on detection by certain modalities- 

Surgery - Breast conservative surgery to remove cancer affect part through surgery and reconstruct the remaining part of the breast cosmetically. 

Chemotherapy with target therapies through tailored treatment as required by the patient with minimum side- effects and controlled treatment

Radiation with advanced treatment with focussed radiation technology 

Immunotherapy and hormonal therapy for estrogen-responsive tumors for the long term.

A specific planned treatment with cure, good quality life, and cosmesis is a must for cancer treatment.”  

(Edited by Dr.Rati Parwani)