Skip to content

Breast Cancer – Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the chances of getting infected Breast Cancer?

In 1940, the lifetime risk of a woman developing breast cancer was 5%. Now, this risk has increased to about 12%. In about half of the cases, the woman has no clue about the risk factors.

Does breastfeeding lead to breast cancer?

Breastfeeding natural activity. Till now there is no surety or proof that was breastfeeding the reason for breast cancer

Does breast size increase breast cancer?

Up till now, no surety proved that change in the size of the breast causes breast cancer, whereas radiologists may have more difficult to read the mammograms of women with dense or has breast tissues.

What are the ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer?

Avoidance of a few bad habits can reduce the risk of breast cancer like smoking, alcohol, not doing any physical activities, overweight, etc.

Can men have breast cancer?

Yes, a man can have breast cancer too. Around 400 men have been died due to

Do you do women can have breast cancer?

The risk of breast cancer indeed rises with the rise of age. But breast cancer can be developed to young girls too.

Should women perform a breast self-exam?

Yes, there are ways by which women can examine self-test to check breast cancer. The screening is the best self-tested methods to check breast cancer among women. In this, women will look at her both breast and will feel the lumps, distortion or swelling.

Do underwire bras cause breast cancer?

There is not any proof which proves that women cause breast cancer due to underrated bras.

How does breast cancer start?

Most commonly, breast cancer starts in the ducts that carry milk to the nipples. Cancer in the lobules less frequently occurs as compared to the prior. The exact reason for breast cancer is idiopathic. However, one can encounter the mutations in the ontogenesis or tumour suppressor genes.

What does breast cancer look like?

A hard lump, changes in the breast size, swelling in and around the armpit and thick pitted look of the skin around the breast are common signs of a tumour. In some cases, unusual discharge is there from the nipples. Thanks to the awareness about breast cancer. In recent years, there is a decline in the mortality rate.

Why is left breast cancer more common?

Research has shown that the left breast is more commonly affected than its right counterpart. However, the exact reason is yet unknown. The studies show the left chest is 5-10% more prone to develop cancer.

Do bras cause breast cancer?

No studies are supporting the fact that wearing bras causes cancer. However, overweight women are at a higher risk of developing cancer. It is your personal choice to wear a bra or go braless.

What is breast cancer pain like?

There are many signs of breast cancer, but the pain is not one of them. We generally associate pain with tumour or cancer. Unlike other tumours lumps in your breast might not be painful; there can be a mild swelling near the armpits and around the nipples.

Does a mammogram hurt?

Mammograms might be painful for some, whereas others might not feel pain at all. Doctors advise NSAIDs like Ibuprofen to be taken 30- 40 minutes before a mammogram to ease discomfort. An experienced technician can help to reduce the pain during a mammogram.

How long can you live with untreated breast cancer?

If breast cancer is left untreated, it might get fatal with time. Depending on the severity of the disease and how it spreads the patient usually survives for 5 to 10 years.

Do all breast cancers have lumps?

Symptoms of breast cancer vary from one patient to another. Usually, lumps are felt in the breasts along with mild swelling and pitted skin sometimes. There have been cases of absolutely no symptoms at all. 80% of the breast lumps are benign and not malignant.

Which bones does breast cancer spread to first?

In the case of benign tumours, cancer generally does not spread to the bones. In the case of malignant tumours, cancer can spread to any bone or organ of the body. Most commonly it spreads to the ribs, spine, and more mammoth bones of the extremities.

Does a breast biopsy hurt?

Mostly the biopsy is performed under local anaesthesia, or the patient sedates to carry out the procedure with ease. Some of the people suffering from this disease might experience little discomfort and pain. For tissue sampling, doctors insert a needle. At this point, you might feel a low pressure on your breasts.

Can a solid mass in breast be benign?

Generally, solid mass in breasts when palpated are benign and not malignant. Self palpation of the lumps is the first identification of benign tumour. It might not lead to cancer. Studies show that 90% of lumps palpated in the breast are benign, not malignant.

Why is left breast cancer more common?

Studies have shown that the left breast is more commonly affected than its right counterpart. However, the exact reason is yet unknown. The studies show the left breast is 5-10% more prone to develop cancer.

Can squeezing breast cause cancer?

It is a myth that squeezing breasts causes cancer. For cancer to develop mutations are needed in the genes. Squeezing your breasts or nipples is not a predominant factor of cancer, the variation is.

How can you test for breast cancer at home?

Self-palpation is most commonly the first identification of breast cancer. There will be lumps or hard mass in your breasts that might move under your skin. In this, one might experience sturdy pitted surface and irregular breast sizes with mild pain in and around the armpits.

What is the survival rate of patients who have breast cancer?

The survival rate is high if breast cancer is detected at an early stage. If the cancer is localised, that means it has not spread to locations outside the breast. The data suggests that there is a 99% chance that the patient can survive a minimum of 5 years after the diagnosis of cancer through appropriate medical treatment.

Once cancer spreads beyond the breast, it can still be controlled for several years through extensive treatment. Through improvements in screening and treatment methods, the 10-year survival rate of women diagnosed with breast cancer has been significantly improved. These days, 8 out of 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer survive for at least ten years after diagnosis.

 

What is Breast Cancer | Types | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment