"Breast cancer is no longer life taking"

KARACHI:

Imagine waking up one day with a discomfort in the chest. Everything seems fine on the outside, but then you begin examining your breasts. Not long after, your hand stops at something unusual that pains. Suddenly, your worst fear strikes: is this a symptom of cancer? Or worse, is my life over? Not at all.

While self-examination of breasts is frequently advocated, not all lumps are cancerous. In fact, out of 10 women who report such an anomaly to a doctor, only one typically receives a confirmed diagnosis after a series of tests. Even in confirmed cases, it's often unnecessary to surgically remove the breast, which was more common decades ago when treatment options were limited, especially in Pakistan.

In a recent Tribune Podcast in collaboration with Novartis, host Sidra Iqbal sat down with a leading breast surgeon from Liaquat National Hospital Dr. Rufina Soomro and a renowned oncologist Dr. Azmina Tajdin, to dispel myths, reduce stigma, and address concerns surrounding breast cancer. They also discussed modern treatment modalities that were less known or unavailable in the past.

Dr. Soomro mentioned that diagnoses at Stage 4 are decreasing, while diagnoses at Stage 2 are on the rise, reflecting the success of breast cancer awareness campaigns. Meanwhile, Dr. Azmina noted that in Pakistan, the majority of affected women are younger. She suggested this might be due to genetic factors like BRCA gene mutations, which are more prevalent in the country.

Dr. Rufina explained that imaging and ultrasounds are performed on patients with suspected cases, followed by a biopsy. "Many women panic at this stage and request immediate surgery, mistakenly thinking the cancer has already spread," she said. However, Dr. Rufina clarified that cancer can only be confirmed after a biopsy, which is essential in determining the specific treatment approach.

About chemotherapy, Dr. Azmina mentioned that advancements in supportive care have made the process less painful. Dr Rufina stated that family support and social groups can greatly enhance the patient's experience. The healing journey becomes easier when a woman battling breast cancer sees her family members, especially the men, by her side. Meanwhile, Dr. Azmina advocated for genetic screening for all family members when one is diagnosed.

On the preventive side, the panel recommended maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise, and weight management.