Breast cancer accounts for 28.2% of all cancers found in Indian women. Although several advancements have been made in breast cancer treatment, advanced stages of the disease still carry a high mortality rate. Thus, early detection of breast cancer at a stage when it has not metastasized and is localized to the breast can improve patient survival.
Breast cancer detected at an early stage can be treated with less invasive methods, such as lumpectomy (the tumour and surrounding tissue are removed), with radiotherapy performed either before or after the surgery. Late-stage cancer necessitates the use of systemic chemotherapy, which can have severe side effects. Early diagnosis also reduces uncertainty and anxiety surrounding the diagnosis.
Today, there are several non-invasive ways for early diagnosis, such as screening mammograms and breast self-exam (BSE), which allow women to familiarize themselves with their breasts and notice anything unusual, which may require further investigation.
Unfortunately, despite the benefits of early breast cancer detection, several myths surround breast cancer screening methods. Aggressive campaigns by doctors and the government to educate people on the importance of screening, access to screening services and busting the cultural and social myths are essential.
It is hard to identify the exact causes of breast cancer. Even doctors often get confused about the reason for women developing breast cancer. The only concrete fact about breast cancer is that it occurs because of damage to a cell’s DNA.
A few other reasons for developing breast cancer are early menarche, Nulliparity (women who have never given birth), late menopause, lack of breastfeeding, or giving birth of the first child after 35 years. More often than not, there are multiple factors involved than a single risk factor.
One of the common symptoms of breast cancer is having a lump in a breast. A hard and painless lump with irregular edges can be cancer, though breast cancers can also be soft, tender, or round. Sometimes they can even be painful. Other symptoms are:
Breast cancer spreads from a single cancer cell by multiplying and growing bigger. Once the tumour grows in size, it can directly affect the skin around the breast, nipple, or the chest wall. It can also spread along the lymphatics into axillary nodes or through the blood into other organs such as the liver, lungs, bones, and brain at the advanced stages.
Women above 20 years should practice self-breast examinations every month one week after completing their menstrual cycle. This examination will help women understand the condition of their breasts well and enable them to identify changes in the breast, such as lumps or skin changes.
A BSE is a screening method to check for changes in the breast or the presence of lumps. It is a non-invasive, convenient, safe, no-cost and painless method as you can do it in the comfort of your home. Changes in breast size, rashes on the nipple or breast, inverted nipple, nipple discharge, pain in the armpit or breast and dimpling of breast skin can allow women to have control over their health and take necessary steps to detect cancer at its early stages.
According to the guidelines of the American Cancer Society, breast examination is required for the following age groups with the specified frequency:
The treatment of breast cancer depends on its types, current stage, and any special conditions. Besides, the procedure will also be based on other factors, including the patient’s overall health and personal lifestyle.
There are drugs used to treat breast cancer, which is part of systemic therapies because they can access the cancer cells nearly anywhere in the human body. The drugs are usually applied by mouth or added directly into the bloodstream. Based on the type of breast cancer, various types of drug treatment might be used, including multimodality therapy combined with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, considering the stage of cancer.
Myth 1: BSE alone prevents breast cancer.
Fact 1: BSE is only a screening tool to keep you aware of any changes in your breasts, prompting a doctor consultation if you notice something unusual and aiding in early diagnosis.
Myth 2: Regular BSE can save lives.
Fact 2: Regular BSE can help detect a lump in the earlier stages but does not guarantee saving lives. Studies have also shown that regular BSE induces anxiety, leading to frequent doctor visits and unnecessary invasive tests. However, BSE is useful in rural areas where access to clinical breast examination and mammograms is limited.
Myth 3: Any lump can be detected via BSE.
Fact 3: The main purpose of BSE is to identify lumps early. However, it does not guarantee that you can detect all the lumps. BSE cannot detect deep lumps or lumps in women with dense breast tissue.
Myth 4: BSEs are no longer recommended or considered useful.
Fact 4: BSEs aid in early discovery and help women recognise changes to their breasts. BSE allows women to seek help early, although BSE cannot replace clinical examination.
Myth 5: Finding a lump always means cancer.
Fact 5: Most breast lumps are identified as non-cancerous upon clinical examination. It is important to evaluate, but it is not a cause for panic.
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast to detect any abnormality in the breast, especially cancer at an early stage, even before it can be felt via palpation. This is generally an annual screening procedure for women above 40 years or during the assessment of a breast lump in women above 35 years.
The patient’s breast is placed on a flat surface and compressed between two surfaces to collect the images.
Myth 1: If a mammogram is normal, future screening is not required.
Fact 1: A normal mammogram is no guarantee that you will never get cancer. Breast conditions can change over time; thus, annual mammograms are recommended to detect any changes to breast tissues early.
Myth 2: Radiation from mammograms may cause cancer.
Fact 2: Mammograms are performed using a low radiation dose, and it is approved by regulatory and medical authorities. Advancements in mammography have reduced the dosage even further. One time radiation exposure via a mammogram is equivalent to 2 months of atmospheric radiation exposure. Thus, the benefits of a mammogram outweigh the mild radiation risk associated with it.
Myth 3: Mammograms are not required until a lump is felt.
Fact 3: It can take a couple of years of growth before a cancerous lump can be felt by a doctor. However, there is a high possibility that the cancer could have spread to the armpits. Thus, if you are above 40 or at risk of developing breast cancer, yearly mammograms are recommended by the Breast Imaging Society of India.
Myth 4: Mammograms are not required in the absence of symptoms or family history.
Fact 4: Only about 5%-10% of breast cancer cases are linked to family history. Most breast cancer cases occur due to factors such as obesity, lifestyle, and environment. Thus, you must schedule a mammogram once you are over 40. If there is a family history, mammograms may be recommended from an early age.
Myth 5: Mammograms prevent breast cancer.
Fact 5: Mammograms cannot prevent cancer from developing. However, its usefulness lies in the fact that lumps can be detected when they are small and the cancer is confined to the breast, improving the treatment outcomes.
Myth 6: Any abnormal finding in a mammogram means cancer
Fact 6: This is not necessary. Most breast changes on mammograms are usually benign. If something suspicious is seen on the mammogram, additional imaging or breast biopsy is conducted to confirm the diagnosis.
Myth 7: Mammograms are painful
Fact 7: The breasts are compressed to keep them still for imaging. However, it is compressed only for a few seconds, and it is not painful.
Early breast cancer detection improves patient survival rates and allows the use of less aggressive treatments, enhancing the quality of life. When breast cancer is detected early, surgery and radiation will usually suffice as a treatment option, compared with late-stage cancer, where systemic chemotherapy is required, which is accompanied by severe side effects.
Screening methods, such as BSE and mammograms, can aid in early detection, but they are surrounded by myths, which prevent women from proactively using these methods to catch cancer early for better treatment and prognosis. Healthcare professionals and the government must run awareness campaigns and improve access to screening centres, encouraging women to take control of their health.
Common early signs include a breast lump, changes in breast size or shape, nipple discharge, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, redness, or swelling in the breast or underarm area.
Yes. Mammograms can detect breast cancer at an early stage, often before a lump can be felt or symptoms become noticeable.
Most women are advised to begin regular mammogram screening from age 40. Women with a family history or higher risk may need earlier screening based on medical advice.
No. Many breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous). However, any new lump should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Mammograms may cause temporary discomfort due to breast compression, but the procedure lasts only a few seconds and is generally well tolerated.
No. Breast self-exams help women become familiar with their breasts and notice changes, but mammograms remain the most effective screening tool for early detection.
Yes. Most breast cancer cases occur in women without a family history. Lifestyle, hormonal, environmental, and age-related factors also contribute to risk.
Early detection improves survival rates, allows less invasive treatment options, reduces the need for aggressive therapies, and improves quality of life.
Article Updated on 24th June 2026
If you wish to undergo a thorough medical check-up to prevent breast cancer, we would be glad to assist you. For general information and enquiries call 0431 4022555 for a doctor’s appointment or emergency. You can also write to [email protected].
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