'Even men suffer from breast cancer'

Patna: Lack of awareness and ignoring lumps are major reasons behind the growing number of breast cancer cases in India, experts say. A WHO study says most of the women cancer patients worldwide suffer from breast cancer and majority of such cases in developing countries are diagnosed in late stages. October is celebrated around the world as breast cancer awareness month.
Former Mahavir Cancer Sansthan director Dr Jitendra Kumar Singh said around 28% of the cancer patients in India suffer from breast cancer. "If people are not made aware of it, breast cancer is likely to become a major killer disease. Women must not ignore any lump in the breast as it is curable if diagnosed as cancer at early stages. They should also follow a healthy lifestyle. While taking bath, women should self examine their breasts," he said and added that social activists, ASHA workers, gynaecologists, doctors at the primary health centres (PHCs) can play a major role in making people aware of the killer disease and help check the growing number of breast cancer cases.
Women often hide any discomfort and avoid consulting doctors even if they notice lumps in their breasts, said Dr Manisha Singh, associate director at Mahavir Cancer Sansthan. "Earlier, we used to have around 35 breast cancer cases in our hospital in a year. Now, the number has increased to 41. A decade ago, only women in their early 40s used to report breast cancer cases, but now even teenagers complain of lumps. Not only patients from the urban households, but also from the rural areas visit our hospital. Many a time women go to quacks or prefer alternative medicine. From peanut size, the lump grows to the size of a potato due to negligence and lack of proper treatment," she said.
Surprisingly, she said, men also suffer from breast cancer, though as a rarest of the rare cases. Sadly, men also consult doctors for check-up only at an advanced stage of breast cancer, she added.
The experts feel awareness camps should be organized in schools and colleges. On the 5th day of the menstruation period, a girl or woman should self examine her breast. Any girl or woman should visit a doctor every third year for clinical breast examination, they said.
"It is high time for families to come forward and stop shying away from talking about breast cancer, so that to detect any such case at its early stage," Dr Manisha said.