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Breast Cancer in India: Rising Causes and Prevention Tips

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Breast cancer is among the most prevalent cancers affecting women worldwide. It is also a deadly form of cancer that leads to death in many patients. Sadly, there is a rise in breast cancer cases these days with more and more women falling prey to this terrible ailment. But why is this happening and what can be done to control the situation? Let’s find out in the article below.

New data Statistics

As per the latest statistics, close to 80 lakh women were affected with breast cancer worldwide. This made breast cancer the most dominant form of cancer globally. What is even worse is that 10.6% of all deaths in India happened due to this disease. This shows how deadly breast cancer is and how many lives are under threat.

Silent causes for the rise in numbers

There are some shocking reasons for the rise in the number of breast cancer cases in India. Here are a few of them:

1. Genetics

Breast cancer can be due to, but is not limited to, genetics. A woman can inherit the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes from women in her family who had the disease. These can be their mother, grandmother, aunts, etc. Breast cancer has become common in India since the 1980s, and a lot of women who had the disease in that era passed it on to their daughters, nieces and granddaughters who are young women today. Hence, we are noticing a surge in the ailment even today.

2. Rise in smoking

Smoking does not only cause lung cancer, but it can also lead to other types of cancer including breast cancer. You will find a lot of women smoking today. This is a growing trend and is a direct contributor to the increase in breast cancer cases. Smoking causes a change to the DNA structure which helps in the spread of breast cancer. It also damages the breast cells which leads to an uncontrolled growth of the cells, resulting in cancer. Smoking also hampers the treatment and patients of breast cancer who smoke are more likely to succumb to the illness, even after they are treated.

3. Obesity

Oestrogen is an important hormone, but it is only needed in a woman’s body in the correct proportion. Excessive oestrogen in the body can be very dangerous as it is directly linked to breast cancer. Fat cells are known to produce oestrogen. Hence, when you are obese, you have many extra fat cells in the body, all of which produce oestrogen, leading to a huge spike in the oestrogen level in your body. This is very dangerous and can cause breast cancer. Sadly, many women today are obese and are at a serious risk of getting breast cancer.

4. Faulty lifestyle choices

Apart from poor weight management and smoking, other lifestyle habits like stress, lack of exercise, less sleep and alcohol consumption lead to breast cancer. Women who struggle with such poor lifestyle habits are at a greater risk of getting this type of cancer as it degenerates their cells and leads to an alteration of the DNA structure. This makes them susceptible to breast cancer. Horrifyingly, women who have improper lifestyle habits also form a resistance to breast cancer treatments which make them more vulnerable to death. Breast cancer resurgence is also commonly seen in such patients.

5. Poor food habits

Processed foods, especially highly processed meats, sugary foods and foods containing artificial colours and flavours are very deadly as they lead to breast cancer. Unfortunately, many people, including young women, regularly consume these foods. This is one of the main reasons for the surge in some types of cancers in India, such as breast cancer. In today’s fast-paced world, many young women struggle to manage their time, so dependence on fast and processed food is high, resulting in more numbers of breast cancer cases.

What can be done?

Thankfully, breast cancer can be stopped in its tracks by time intervention. These may be medically induced or personally followed over a period of time. Some examples include:

1. Improvement in lifestyle

Start by improving your lifestyle habits. Reduce, or preferably cut out, smoking and dribbling completely. These do not help in any way and cause many health issues, including breast cancer. Look for other forms of stress relief and get back to a healthy life.

2. Rise in fitness levels

As mentioned above, obesity is directly linked to breast cancer. This is very frightening as many women are overweight. To help yourself, increase your fitness levels, as that will help you to shed off the excess weight. Start with some simple exercises like walking or swimming. Join a dance or yoga class with your friends. Try cycling to work, rather than taking your vehicle. If gymming suits you, go for it. There are many ways in which you can get fit and lose weight, so choose the one that’s appropriate for you.

3. Proper diet

Next, and most importantly, change your diet. Take an oath to eat healthily. Try consuming fresh, home-cooked meals. If you cannot cook yourself, hire someone who can do that for you. Have lots of green vegetables, fruits and leafy greens. If you are a non-vegetarian, have fatty fish. Reduce your intake of red meat. Also, avoid processed and packaged foods at every cost. These habits won't just help you to stay protected against breast cancer, but they will help your entire family to stay healthy.

4. Timely screening

Last but not least, go for regular screenings. Breast cancer is curable if detected in its early stages. Learn the self-checking methods. Do those every day. Also, go to your doctor every few months for a screening and you will be able to notice any unusual growth that may point towards breast cancer.

The role of insurance

At times, even after your best efforts, you can contract a deadly disease like breast cancer. Thankfully, cancer research and treatment options have evolved quite a bit these days and many women have a good chance at recovery. However, cancer treatment is very expensive and this is why experts suggest that every woman in India should be covered under a good health insurance plan. Not this is the most basic requirement, as it gives you a fair chance to fight cancer. When you have financial security, you can go ahead and seek the help you need. Hence, get the best health insurance policy if you have not done so already.

Additionally, you can also get a critical illness insurance plan that would help you effectively if you are diagnosed with breast cancer. You will receive a lump sum amount of money that you can use to go abroad for treatment or to take care of other financial needs at a difficult time.

Conclusion

There are many reasons for the rise of breast cancer in India. Interestingly, remedies are available for timely prevention, leading to a better outcome. Remember all the points mentioned above and try your best to stay protected against this deadly disorder that not just affects the woman, but her whole family by taking away their peace and joy.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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