India
healthysoch.com
- Various Primary & Secondary factors responsible for the growing incidence
- More than 6000 women screened for breast cancer under the “Apollo Breast Health Program” at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
New Delhi, October 30, 2019:
There has been an increase in the breast cancer incidence in India, especially amongst women in the metros. 1 in every 8 woman is likely to get breast cancer once in a lifetime elaborated Dr. Ramesh Sarin, Senior Consultant (Surgical Oncology) at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, who has been a part of the Breast Health Awareness Campaign at Apollo Hospitals.
Dr. Ramesh Sarin, said “Breast Cancer is the only cancer which is 100% curable if diagnosed on time. Early Diagnosis and routine screening remains the key to curbing breast cancer. There are several myths associated with breast cancer such as woman with smaller breasts are more likely to develop breast cancer, wearing black bras can lead to cancer of the breasts. The fact remains that one should follow a healthy lifestyle by way of exercising, not putting on weight and have a positive attitude towards life”
Young women between the age group of 20 – 30 are at a higher risk of disease owing to consumption of junk food, consumption of sugar, processed meat. Usage of reheated oil is one of the major causes which contributes to cancer cells as reheating of vegetable oils leads to release of free radicals which help in the growth of cancer cells, said Dr. Sidharth Sahni, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncologist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals
Elaborating on how cancer incidence differs in India as compared to western countries Dr. Sahni said “In the west, the maximum number of patients diagnosed with breast cancer are in the age group of 50 -70 years, while in India the same is reported in the age group 40 – 60 years”
Factors contributing to rising incidence of breast cancer:
Primary Factors
– Morbid Lifestyle – Higher Age during first child birth – Bearing no kids at all – Consumption of alcohol & tobacco |
Secondary Factors
–Increased Life-spans -Increase in Obesity – High Exposure to sugar and Vegetable Oils
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The Oncology vertical at Apollo Hospitals has envisioned a pan-India ‘Breast Health Awareness Program’ in October 2019 (October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and the same has being accentuated across all the Apollo Hospitals this year. The aim of the program is to make the people of the country aware about Breast health under the Apollo Breast Health Program and go for routine screening. So far, more than 6000 patients have been screened for free under the initiative at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.