Symptoms of Breast Cancer

• A lump or mass in the breast and/or armpit that feels different from the surrounding tissue.
• Change in the shape, size, or appearance of the breast (over a short period of time).
• Bleeding or discharge from the nipple.
• Breast rash which does not subside with routine treatment.
• Changes in the skin over the breast, for example, dimpling/ pitting of the skin, resembling the skin of orange.
• Breast or nipple pain.
• Inverted or pulling in of the nipple.
• Scaling, peeling, or flaking skin over the breast, particularly the dark area around the nipple

Causes of Breast Cancer

• Age - more risk after 40 years of age.
• Menarche at a younger age and menopause at an older age.
• Pregnancy at an older age, never being pregnant or not breastfeeding.
• Hormone use, including long-term contraceptive use or Hormone replacement therapy.
• Family history.
• Dense breasts.
• A woman with cancer in one breast has increased chances of having cancer in the other breast.
• Previous treatment with radiation to the chest.
• Lifestyle, including excess alcohol consumption, and less physical activity.
• Obesity and overweight

Preventions or how to reduce the risk of Breast Cancer

• Eat healthy and nutritious food.
• Be physically active.
• Avoid alcohol.
• To take Hormone replacement therapy under supervision.
• Breastfeeding the child (if not medically contraindicated).
• Regular Breast self-examination and regular examination by the doctor after the age of 40 years.

Screening of Breast Lumps available at JNCHRC

• Physical examination: Physical examination of the breast - Checking for lumps, hardness, or tenderness in the breasts and lymph nodes.
• Mammogram: X-ray of the breast, along with ultrasound of the breast.
• Breast lump fine needle aspiration Cytology or Biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
• Nipple discharge Cytology.