breast cancer

In India, it is quite easy to treat breast cancer if the disease is detected in the early stages. It is cost effective and easily affordable for all. On an average the approximate cost to treat breast cancer in India successfully is starting from around USD 2,000 (Indian Rupees Approx. 70,000 to 1,44,000).

Breast cancer, a prevalent concern globally and in India, results from abnormal cell growth in breast tissue due to genetic mutations. This leads to tumor formation and potential spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes. Despite its widespread impact, advancements in medical technology and skilled surgical interventions in India offer hope for improved outcomes and treatment options, highlighting progress in combating this disease.

Symptoms Of Breast Cancer

Early signs of breast cancer can vary, and some individuals may not experience symptoms initially.

Common symptoms include the development of a tumor in the breast, nipple discharge (not milk), nipple inversion (rare), and pain in the breasts.

Other symptoms may include swelling or lumps in the underarms, changes in breast size or shape, thickening of surrounding tissues, and red or discolored breast skin.

These symptoms do not always indicate breast cancer, but any detected lump or tumor should be promptly evaluated by a healthcare professional.

It's important to seek medical attention for proper assessment and diagnosis rather than assuming the presence of cancer based solely on symptoms.

Invasive: Can spread from the breast, including ducts and glands, to other parts of the body.

Non-invasive or In-situ: Does not spread beyond its original site.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): Carcinogenic cells remain within the breast ducts and do not spread to lymph nodes.

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS): Typically develops in the milk ducts but does not spread beyond this area.

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): Most prevalent type, originating in milk ducts and spreading to surrounding tissues.

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): Develops in breast lobules and can spread to adjacent tissues.

Paget Disease of the Nipple: Spreads from nipple ducts to skin and areola tissues.

Phyllodes Tumor: Rare, initially benign lump that can develop into cancerous growths on breast connective tissue.

Angiosarcoma: Typically found on blood or lymph vessels in the breast.

Breast cancer stages are determined by the size of the lump and the extent of the disease within the body, ranging from lower stages, indicating early and treatable cancer, to higher stages, indicating advanced and less survivable conditions.

• Stage 0 or DCIS: Cancer cells remain confined to breast glands or ducts.
• Stage 1A: A tumor of 2 cm or less develops on the breast without lymph node involvement.
• Stage 1B: Cancer spreads to surrounding lymph nodes.
• Stage 2A: Tumor size remains ≤ 5 cm without lymph node involvement.
• Stage 2B: Tumor size exceeds 5 cm with or without lymph node involvement.
• Stage 3: Cancer spreads to lymph nodes, and tumor size may increase.
• Stage 4 (Metastatic Breast Cancer Stage): Cancer spreads extensively to lymph nodes, organs, and other body parts.

Causes Of Breast Cancer

• Lack of proper immune system
• Presence of carcinogenic genes in family history
• Abnormal genetic mutations and recombination leading to abnormal cell growth and cancer spread

Lifestyle factors associated with breast cancer risk:

• Excessive smoking
• Excessive drinking
• Poor nutrition

Surgery:

• Lumpectomy: Removes cancerous lump while preserving surrounding breast tissue.
• Mastectomy: Removes entire breast, sometimes both if cancer affects both breasts.
• Sentinel node biopsy: Removes cancer-affected lymph nodes.

Radiation Therapy:

• Utilizes high-intensity radiation to destroy cancer cells from outside the body.

Chemotherapy:

• Blocks growth and abnormal division of cancer cells using medication.

Hormone Therapy:

• Uses hormones like estrogen and progesterone to prevent growth and spread of cancer cells.

The approximate cost of treating breast cancer in India might vary from one state to another and from one nursing home to the other. The cost might also differ due to other factors like:

Stage of the cancer.

Specialty of surgeons and health care experts.

The technology used to treat the cancer and many others.