Isha Breast – Health Clinic

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting urban Indian women. The last three decades have seen the numbers of breast cancer patients grow steadily. It is estimated that by 2015-2020, India will be among the world leaders in new breast cancer cases detected every year.

A recent study of breast cancer risk in India revealed that one in 28 women develops breast cancer during her lifetime. This is higher in urban areas (one in 22) compared to rural areas, where the risk is lower at one in 60 women.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has predicted that by 2020 the number of cancer cases will jump to an alarming figure and one in every eight women would run the risk of developing the disease in her lifetime.

It is estimated that worldwide over 508 000 women died in 2011 due to breast cancer (Global Health Estimates, WHO 2013).

This almost amounts to one death every minute due to breast cancer worldwide.

Isha Multispeciality Hospital’s newest initiative of Isha Breast Health Clinic is the new hope for combating cancer. Backed by the latest technology and the support of expert faculties like Dr.Anaga Zhope (MS, GS MC – Consultant Breast Surgeon from Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad), Isha Breast Clinic endeavours to promote that Early Detection helps prevention of breast cancer.

Though there is no definite cause for breast cancer, there are certain established risk factors that may contribute in causing breast cancer. Sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise), increased consumption of fat products, postmenopausal obesity, late marriages, delayed child bearing and lesser number of children being conceived, reduced duration of breastfeeding (less than one year per child) are all believed to be reasons for increased risk of breast cancer.

Everyone’s breasts are different altering with age and at different times of the month. Symptoms of breast cancer include:

• Lumps or thickening of breast tissue
• Continuous pain in breast or armpit
• One breast becoming larger or lower
• Puckering or dimpling of the skin
• Nipples becoming inverted (turned in), changing shape or position
• Nipples developing a rash, crusting or producing discharge
• Swelling under the armpits or around the collarbone

Not all lumps are cancerous – they may be benign cysts or overgrowth of tissue. But it is always wise to have a mammography done as Early Detection helps in Prevention.

The best protection against breast cancer is early detection. Mammography is the most effective screening test for the early detection of breast cancer available to women today. The goal of mammography is the early detection of breast cancer, typically through detection of characteristic masses and/or micro calcifications.

About 80 – 90% cases of breast cancer in women are detected by mammography. Doctors all across the world strongly urge women to schedule their mammograms yearly and to talk to their doctor regularly about their risk for breast cancer. Combining physical examination with mammography increases the detection rate to greater than 90%.

Two recent advances in mammography include digital mammography and computer-aided second detection. Digital Mammography is a cutting-edge diagnostic technology and offers women a high level of convenience by producing near-instant; easy-to-read computerized digital breast images.

Mammography is the best tool in breast cancer detection. Digital mammography advances the practice one step further. By adding the ability to go direct to computer, patients can be assured of the most comprehensive image for expert review.

Isha Breast Health Clinic offers technology like latest Mammograms and other facilities to combat this disease.