If detected early, breast cancer is curable: Doc

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 20

Cancer helpine “ICanGuide” led by Dr Surinder Gupta, Dr Inder Sharma and Dr SR Bawa recently addressed teachers, students and their mothers at Bal Bharti Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar, on breast cancer under its “Breast cancer month October activities”.

Dr Gupta highlighted the role of their helpline for prevention and treatment of cancer. He also informed about lifestyle related disorders, including diabetes, hypertension and thyroid.

Dr Gupta said, “Breast cancer is the most happening cancer among women. It kills 4.5 lakh women every year and 2.7 lakh women belong to poor and middle income countries like India. It’s because cancer is diagnosed quite late.”

He said women should self-examine their breast once in a fortnight while taking bath. Every nodule in the breast or in the axillary region should be got tested and even the changes in breast nipple should be taken note of. Any pus or blood discharge from nipple too should be investigated.

“Mammography is effective up to 99 per cent in case of suspicious lesion, fine needle aspiration cytology FNAC or tissue biopsy should be done to rule out cancer cells. In case of positive report, CT scan and MRI is needed for staging and further treatment,” he said.

If detected early the treatment outcome is quite good. Surgical removal of the legion, followed by chemotherapy or oral pills, is the standard treatment in breast cancer. Regular follow up visits after the treatment ensure a disease free life for the patient, he said.

Dr Gupta said financial constraints would not be a problem in cancer treatment because the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister fund were readily available at all cancer hospitals.

School director Krishna Khurana, Sahil Khurana and Raj Sharma among others were also present on the occasion.