Dr Ajit underscores early detection of breast cancer
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 16 2016: Lack of screening mechanism for detection of breast cancer in the State is a reason to worry as it is the most common cause of death for women across the globe, stated Dr Ajit Lukram, during an interaction with The Sangai Express today at Shija Hospitals, Health City, Imphal.

Dr Ajit, an MBBS, DNB Gen Surgery Consultant GI and Gen Surgeon, and trained in Breast and Endocrine; and Colorectal Surgery at North Cumbria University Hospital, Carlisle, United Kingdom has been taking the lead role as the sole consultant of the Shija Breast and Thyroid Clinic which aims to screen breast and thyroid related disorders, raise awareness among the community and establish protocol.

Established in July 2013, the clinic has been conducting screening test and thorough clinical examination for patients who come with compli- cations, added Dr Ajit.

Till today more than 2500 patients have received the benefits of the clinic.

Every year the clinic sponsors out-reach programme in different areas and conduct free screening of breast cancer.

In an independent study conducted by the clinic for two years upon 200 patients, it was learnt that 92 per cent were detected negative for breast cancer while 8 per cent turned out to be positive for breast cancer.

The study indicates that 68.8 percent of patients had early cancer up-to stage 3A which is quite alarming, he added.

Breast cancer is any kind of cancer that develops from breast cells.

It usually starts off in the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply them with milk, he stated.

A malignant tumor can spread to other parts of the body.

A breast cancer that starts off in the lobules is known as lobular carcinoma while one that develops from the ducts are termed as ductal carcinoma, he said.

Breast cancers are divided into two kinds- invasive and non-invasive, he said.

Invasive breast, cancer cells break out from inside the lobules or ducts and invade nearby tissue.

In such cancer the abnormal cells can reach the lymph node and make their way to other organs such as the bones, liver or lungs and becomes invasive.

While in non-invasive breast cancer, the cancer cells remains inside its place of origin and has not broken out.

Sometimes such type of breast cancer can develop into invasive breast cancer, Dr Ajit stated.

"Early detection is the key to successful cure or treatment of breast cancer," says Dr Ajit.

Further he stated that self detection or examination should be encouraged for women from 16 years of age once every month.

Among some symptoms, he said lump formation, pain in armpits or breast that does not relate to women's menstrual period, pitting or redness of the skin of the breast, rash around or on one of the nipples, swelling in one of the armpits, thickened area in a breast, nipples discharge including blood, change in appearance (nipples become sunken or inverted), change in shape and change in colouration.

With time ticking and ageing becoming a non reversible natural process, chances of breast cancer compounds with getting older for women, he added.

Even though causes of breast cancer are not yet known, some risk factors can impact on a woman's likelihood of developing breast cancer which includes ageing, genetics, and dense breast tissue, a history of breast cancer, estrogen exposure, obesity, alcohol consumption, radiation exposure and introduction to hormone replacement therapy.

Further he stated that detection or screening for breast cancer should be encouraged by every section of the society as it accounts for the most common cause of deaths among women.

Assessment for breast cancer is done through three steps- clinical examination, radiology (X-ray, ultra-sound imaging) and biospy (fine needle aspiration cytology, FNAC, and excision) and further treatment should be conducted.

Unfortunately there is lack of such clinical examination in various health care centres across the State and country is a good reason to worry, he said.

Social stigma and shyness also accounts for people to hide away such dangerous conditions.

Openness from the public and trust towards the consultant is the need of the hour.

"Let us catch it young and treat it," urged Dr Ajit.

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