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

The Value of Risk Communication in Public HealthOctober 08, 2026
What Makes a Reliable Health Screening Programme?October 08, 2026
How Language Access Can Improve Patient Communication in Indian HealthcareOctober 07, 2026
Why Health Literacy Matters in Preventive HealthcareOctober 07, 2026
Improving Follow-Up After Diagnostic Testing: Where Systems Commonly Break DownOctober 07, 2026
Improving Follow-Up After Diagnostic Testing: Where Systems Commonly Break DownOctober 07, 2026
How Community Health Workers Support Preventive Care DeliveryOctober 07, 2026
AI in India's Emergency Departments: Reducing Diagnostic DelaysOctober 06, 2026
AI and Patient Consent in India: Who Is Responsible?October 06, 2026
Wearable Technology in Pregnancy: Benefits and LimitsOctober 06, 2026
Remote Monitoring for High-Risk Pregnancies in IndiaOctober 06, 2026
Fortis Escorts Faridabad Launches ‘Sehat Express’ Mobile Bus for Accessible Doorstep Cancer Screening in association with Faridabad Industries Association Charitable Society and Rotary Club FaridabadOctober 05, 2026
Advanced Thrombectomy Saves 60-Year-Old Woman After Severe Heart Attack at KIMS SaveeraOctober 05, 2026
Constipation, Bloating and Long Sitting Hours: Doctors at RG Hospitals Delhi Warn Urban Professionals Not to Ignore Gut ProblemsOctober 05, 2026
Fermenta – Centre of Excellence for Food Fortification Inaugurated at NIFTEM-T, ThanjavurOctober 05, 2026
Alzheimer’s Dementia: Recognising the Signs, Diagnosing Earlier and Changing the Future of Brain HealthOctober 05, 2026
Man Matters Hairfall Case Study 2026: 7 Lakh+ Consultations Reveal How Hair Loss Changes With AgeOctober 05, 2026
Medication Reconciliation: A System-Level Step for Safer Transitions of CareOctober 05, 2026
The Role of Clinical Pharmacists in Safer Medication UseOctober 05, 2026
Nanavati Max Hospital Hosts Max Cancer Congress 2026, Bringing Together Oncology Experts to Explore the Future of Cancer Care October 01, 2026