PANAJI: Breast cancer among Goan women, has reached alarming proportions with around 40% incidence rate while it is around
20% of total cancers afflicting male and females put together. Breast cancer is also the highest type of cancers diagnosed in Goa as far as the individual-organ category is concerned. In such a grim scenario, awareness is the key and on the occasion of National Cancer Awareness Day – Agnel Entrepreneurship Development Institute (AEDI) in association with Sai Life Care (NGO) organised an awareness programme today.
Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant was the chief guest and stressed on the importance of early detection of breast cancer which can save life, save the organ and save money as well.
Manipal Hospitals-Goa chief of oncology department, Dr Shekhar Salkar was the guest speaker and explained the safety precautions to keep breast cancer away and/or aid in early detection.
WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERS:
Have first child before the age of 30 years
Have at least two children
Minimum 6 months of breast-feeding but best is 2 years
If one requires hormones replacement therapy, take short courses
Controll the weight
Do breast self-examination once a month which can detect early breast cancer
Do ‘Baseline mammography’ at the age of 40 and than onwards let your family doctors advise may be once a year or every alternate year
WHAT THE STATISTICS SAY:
Total all cancers in Goa – 1300 to 1500
Breast cancers – 250 to 300
Maximum incidence in 30-50 age-group
Stage I survival 95%
Stage 2 survival 80%
Stage 3 survival 50 to 60%
Stage 4 survival 10 %
