American Journalist Katie Couric reveals breast cancer diagnosis, encourages screening

Leading physicians advocate the importance of self-examination and preventive screenings to timely detect any lumps or irregularities in the breast area at an early stage.

In India, there is a major lack of awareness on the importance of self-breast examination, regular check-ups etc, which is often the cause of delayed diagnosis and detection of breast cancer in women, Dr. Garvit Chitkara, Senior Consultant, Breast Surgical Oncology and Oncoplasty, Nanavati Max Institute of Cancer Care, Mumbai, said.

Advanced diagnostic techniques like Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy (VABB) technology aids in highly accurate diagnosis as it can accurately sample the smallest of the lesions in the breast that often get missed or are not sampled by core needle biopsy, says Dr. Sudhakar, Consultant Radiologist, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bangalore.

Often women develop lumps or lesions in their breast which can be a cause of great worry, though not all lumps are cancerous. Another common issue in younger women is the prevalence of benign lumps called Fibroadenomas, which might feel firm, smooth, rubbery, or hard and have a well-defined shape. VABB supports the removal of non-cancerous lumps and Fibroadenomas in a minimally-invasive, cosmetic friendly and day-care procedure.

VABB is increasingly becoming the preferred procedure to safely remove such benign lumps. Advanced technologies like VABB are widely used abroad and are now available in India to help women take charge of their health and outsmart breast cancer. Timely detection and treatment are instrumental in reducing the risk of mortality among patients. Women must be aware of such advanced diagnostic techniques and ensure routine check-ups to detect any worrisome condition timely.