Breast Cancer Awareness month: The risk of breast cancer in young women is increasing. According to the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Biology, recent years have seen a rising trend in the incidence of breast cancer among young women in India, accounting for 10-20 percent of all breast cancer cases.
Every year, the month of October is marked as Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects 2.3 million women worldwide. This year, the theme of World Breast Cancer Awareness Month is ‘No-one should face breast cancer alone’.
Over a decade ago, the scenario was different, with most women in their 50s and 60s being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. However, more recently, women in their 20s and 30s are becoming increasingly prone to the disease, Dr. Vibha Naik, Director, Department of Medical Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant, Sterling Hospitals, Vadodara, Gujarat told Financial Express.com.
According to Dr. Naik, healthy habits such as exercising regularly help women living in their 20s and 30s avoid breast cancer.
“Knowing family history is very important in deciding whether they should be screened early or more frequently. Maintaining a healthy weight by having more fruits and vegetables and whole grains and regular exercising, which may include jogging or yoga, lowers the risk of cancer,” she told Financial Express.com.
It also comprises ideas related to family planning, since some of the hormonal contraception methods increase the risk, and stress management is a critical factor because the pressures of career and life during these years may take a blow on health, and practices like meditation or exercise may help, she emphasised.
“Monitoring changes in hormones and getting an opinion from the doctor regarding unusual symptoms ensures early detection and proper care,” she added.