Breast Cancer Treatment Hospital in Delhi

Breast cancer has emerged as the most prevalent cancer among women in metropolitan cities. The incidence is rapidly increasing, with 1 in 25-30 urban women likely to suffer from breast cancer during their lifetime. This is significantly lower than the rates in the US (1 in 8 women) or the UK (1 in 12 women), but much higher than in rural India (1 in 70 women). Alarmingly, the number of cases is rising in the younger age group, specifically between 35-45 years.

Understanding the Risk

Every woman has some chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime, and the risk increases with age. Approximately 77% of women diagnosed are over the age of 50. The risk doubles if there are first or second-degree relatives with breast cancer, though family history contributes to only 5-10% of cases.

Importance of Early Detection

Breast cancer does not spell doom anymore, especially with advanced modalities available to detect the disease early. However, it is crucial never to disregard any lump in the breast. The earlier the disease is identified, the better the treatment options and outcomes.

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

Several factors can increase the risk of developing breast cancer, including:

• Early onset of periods
• Late menopause
• Null parity or late childbirth
• Lack of breastfeeding
• Obesity
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Previous history of radiation
• Previous history of breast surgery