Breast cancer can occur at any age, with a higher incidence in women 40 years and older. It is a global issue and is prevalent in all cultures, but its occurrence is more common in South Asian countries, majorly due to a lack of breast cancer awareness in women. Worldwide, there are about 1 million cases per year, with 60% of those cases coming from low- and middle-income countries, including Pakistan.
One of the main reasons is that many women in Pakistan are diagnosed at later stages due to a lack of breast cancer awareness. There’s also the issue of early detection; women are often too shy to visit health facilities earlier because of female sensitivity and social stigmas.
In Pakistan, women tend to approach healthcare facilities usually at the later stage of cancer due to a multitude of factors. Such as unemployment, people do not have the funds for treatment. Additionally, many women fear surgery and believe traditional treatments will heal them. Moreover, there is a lack of breast cancer awareness in Pakistani females, such as how breast cancer starts and progresses.
There are several risk factors or causes of breast cancer, but not all of them lead to developing the disease. Many women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors.
Factors associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:
Different people have different breast cancer symptoms. Some people show no symptoms at all.
Some warning signs of breast cancer are:
If you experience any signs that worry you, see a specialist right away.
There are different screening methods for early detection of breast cancer-related changes, including
Women should have regular mammograms to detect breast cancer early when it is most treatable. The American Cancer Society recommends that women schedule their first screening at age 40.
Talk to your doctor to get more information about the right tests for you and whether you should begin earlier or later than 40.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, there are certain things you can do to reduce your risk. Making some changes to your daily routine can help reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Try to:
Breast cancer prognosis is largely dependent on the stage of the disease. The smaller the tumor, the better the outcome. The treatment can be cheaper, and it’s easier to treat.
However, early detection of breast cancer is important because breast cancer symptoms are not always clear, and it may not even show up on a self-exam or clinical exam.
Women over the age of 40 are advised to get screening mammograms done every year. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, your doctor may advise you to get them even sooner.
At Memon Medical Institute you can find the country’s best cancer doctor and the most effective treatment.
With many different forms and stages, cancer is a complicated illness. Understanding the stages of…
In a bustling city like Karachi, where every corner hosts a myriad of medical practitioners,…
Various factors can disrupt skin health, leading to a myriad of skin problems. Understanding the…
For those suffering from kidney stones, the pain can be excruciating, impacting daily life and…
Acidity, also known as acid reflux or heartburn, is a common digestive disorder. It happens…
Tonsillitis, an inflammation of the tonsils, can range from a minor nuisance to a serious…