The Rosy Picture in Pink October

▴ Dr Balaji Ramani, Director - Gleneagles Institute of Oncology, Gleneagles Hospital, Chennai
"All Cancers are Genetic ... but they are not Hereditary" By that we mean that all tumors originate as a result of changes in our genes - the cancer promoting Oncogenes or the cancer preventive Tumor Suppressor gene.

Culturally and historically the Breast has been the representation of Motherhood and Femininity. The source of Mother's Milk and of her infallible love for her children and the very embodiment of the female form through the ages, today we know the value of Breastfeeding for the Child in Immunity, Oral Development, Holistic nutrition and for the mother in Bonding, Emotional Attachment and its role in Preventing Breast Cancer.

We are in an era where Breast Cancer is the Leading Cancer in Women and the major cancer in the teeming billions on Earth.

"All Cancers are Genetic ... but they are not Hereditary" By that we mean that all tumors originate as a result of changes in our genes - the cancer promoting Oncogenes or the cancer preventive Tumor Suppressor gene. Hormonal factors like early age of onset of periods in girls, delayed menopause, decreasing fertility, reduction in breastfeeding and use of hormone replacement therapy-all of these play a major role in breast cancer. More worrisome is the fact there is a rising trend in smoking and alcohol use in the GenZ, women that are directly linked to breast cancer.

There is silver lining is too in these dark clouds. The *general* increase in awareness about breast cancer, better utilisation of screening, mammograms from the age of 40, *newer* modalities of treatments that increase the cure in breast cancer-even in select cases of *Stage 4 *breast Cancer - all these are indeed good news.

Enormous advances have been made in the management of breast cancer-molecular therapies that are even available in tablet form, usage of *Chemo-Port* to avoid infusion *related* complications of chemotherapy, hair fall reducing therapies like scalp cooling, advanced and newer targeted therapy agents-all these signify the latest in systemic therapy in breast Cancer.

Today, Radiation Oncology has progressed to an extent where the skin reactions and darkening usually associated with radiation are minuscule. With this, we also have recent trials that enable us to deliver the same effective dose of radiation. in a much shorter time frame ranging from one week to 3 weeks *as compared to the 5 weeks that was the standard.* The use of *breath-hold *and assisted ventilation during radiation helps in avoiding cardiac toxicity.

Surgery in breast cancer has undergone sea change from the era of total Breast removal for nearly all patients to the current era where Breast conservation surgery along with Onco-plastic reconstruction techniques and breast implants *that* have nearly taken breast removal out of the equation while showing equal-in fact, better survival outcomes. The use of fluorescent green dyes to identify the Sentinel nodes has made arm edema a thing of the past.

Next Generation Sequencing NGS technology has simplified Hereditary and Genetic Testing in all cancers, and this now enables us to perform Preventive Risk Reducing Surgeries in Hereditary Syndromes and also enables us to tailor the therapy according to the patient's molecular type of breast cancer.

In conclusion, in this pink October, the future for patients afflicted with breast cancer is Rosy and colourful and portends a long life.

Tags : #

About the Author


Team Medicircle

Related Stories

Loading Please wait...

-Advertisements-



Trending Now

Why Preventive Healthcare for Children Is One of the Most Important Investments India Can MakeAugust 04, 2026
The Role of Pathology in Healthcare: From Diagnosis to Disease PreventionAugust 04, 2026
Pathophysiology of Psoriatic Arthritis: Clinical Presentation, Joint Damage Mitigation, and BiologicsAugust 04, 2026
Comprehensive Evaluation of Syncope: Cardiac vs. Neurological Origin WorkupsAugust 04, 2026
Common Medical Terms Explained: A Plain-Language Guide for Indian Patients and Healthcare SeekersAugust 03, 2026
Why Radiology Is the Backbone of Modern Medical Diagnosis and TreatmentAugust 03, 2026
Managing Urban Stress: Science-Backed Strategies for Mental Resilience in 2026 August 01, 2026
Managing Chronic Inflammation: The Role of Anti-Inflammatory Indian SuperfoodsAugust 01, 2026
Pathophysiology of Psoriatic Arthritis: Clinical Presentation, Joint Damage Mitigation, and BiologicsAugust 01, 2026
Early Markers of Glaucoma: Structural vs. Functional Ophthalmic Diagnostic ProtocolsAugust 01, 2026
Managing Complex Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Multidisciplinary Wound Care, Offloading, and RevascularizationAugust 01, 2026
The Future of Preventive Medicine: How India Is Moving From Cure to PreventionAugust 01, 2026
Why Young Indians Are Facing Heart Problems: Causes, Symptoms, and PreventionAugust 01, 2026
The Future of Preventive Screening: AI-Driven Early Cancer Detection in IndiaJuly 31, 2026
The Impact of Climate Change on Allergic Respiratory Diseases in Indian Cities July 31, 2026
Electronic Medical Records: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How India Is Embracing ThemJuly 31, 2026
Heatwave Health Risks in India: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention StrategiesJuly 31, 2026
Rare Chest Wall Reconstruction at SRM Global Hospital Saves Critically Injured Road Accident VictimJuly 30, 2026
52-Year-Old Male with just 10% Heart Function successfully revived at Fortis Greater Noida via High-Risk Emergency AngioplastyJuly 30, 2026
Yashoda Hospitals Hitec City Achieves Landmark Milestone of 400+ Renal Transplants in less than 4 YearsJuly 30, 2026