Age is also an important factor. Generally, women over 40 years of age are more susceptible to this disease.
Karachi:
Among the growing diseases worldwide, if there is one disease that has affected women’s lives the most, it is breast cancer. This is a disease whose name brings a wave of fear and uncertainty to the heart and mind.
In our society, talking about diseases, especially those related to women, is generally considered taboo. This is why most women miss out on the opportunity for timely diagnosis and treatment. However, breast cancer is a disease that, if diagnosed at an early stage, can be successfully treated and the patient can live a healthy and normal life.
Increasing rate of breast cancer
According to statistics, one in every nine women in Pakistan may face breast cancer at some stage of life. This ratio is much higher than in other countries of the world. The worrying thing is that most patients reach the hospital when the disease has progressed to a considerable extent and the possibilities of treatment are limited. This situation requires that maximum awareness be created among women, so that they can pay attention to early symptoms and get timely examination and treatment.
Risk factors
The actual causes of breast cancer are not yet 100% clear, but there are some factors that increase the chances of this disease. The most important of these is genetic or family background. If a woman in the family has had this disease, then the chances of it in other women increase.
Age is also an important factor. Usually, women over 40 years of age are more susceptible to this disease. However, nowadays, this disease is also emerging rapidly in younger women. Obesity, unbalanced diet, lack of exercise, smoking, prolonged use of hormone-containing drugs and late first-time motherhood also increase the chances of this disease.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Most women do not take this disease seriously until the disease enters the final stages. However, there are some symptoms that should not be ignored. For example:
*Feeling a lump or hardness in the breast
- Pain or pressure in the breast or armpit
- Redness, tenderness or soreness on the skin of the breast
- Unusual discharge or bleeding from the nipple (breast lump)
- Sudden change in the size or shape of the breast
All these symptoms require immediate attention. Every woman should not ignore any such change and immediately consult a qualified doctor.
The importance of timely diagnosis
The most important step in the treatment of breast cancer is its timely diagnosis. Modern scientific research confirms that if this disease is detected in the early stages, it is not only possible to treat it, but the patient can also recover completely. That is why doctors repeatedly emphasize that women themselves should monitor the changes in their bodies and undergo regular medical check-ups.
In the present era, there are many modern means of diagnosis, such as mammography, ultrasound and biopsy. Through these tests, any suspicious changes in the breast can be examined in time.
Treatment methods
The treatment of breast cancer depends on the patient’s condition and the stage of the disease. In general, its treatment includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Sometimes more than one method is used simultaneously to achieve more effective results.
It is also worth mentioning here that treatment requires not only physical but also psychological and emotional aspects. Women affected by breast cancer usually suffer from mental stress, fear and despair. At this time, the encouragement and social support of family and friends play an important role in keeping the patient’s morale high.
Precautions
Since the chances of breast cancer are linked to certain factors, its risk can be reduced by taking some precautions. First of all, it is important to make a balanced diet and regular exercise a part of your life. Obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle are the root causes of many diseases, including breast cancer.
Similarly, avoiding smoking and alcohol is also very important. Women should not use hormonal drugs without consulting a doctor. Unnecessary delay in marriage and motherhood also sometimes increases the risk, so this aspect cannot be ignored.
Self-examination: Every woman’s responsibility
Every woman should perform a self-examination of her body on a monthly basis. This process is not only simple but can also be life-saving. Standing in front of a mirror and carefully examining the shape, size and skin of the breast and feeling for any unusual lumps or hardness with your hands is part of this process. If any changes are detected, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Social behavior and the wall of silence
One of the tragedies of our society is that women hide their problems. They shy away from talking about their disease or do not consult a doctor in time due to social pressure and shame. This silence often takes the disease to dangerous stages. We need to change this attitude and reassure women that talking about their health is not a taboo but a life-saving act.
Need for awareness campaigns
Pakistan
