Cancer care at ZenHeal
Breast Cancer: symptoms, tests and treatment
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Indian women. Many women first notice a painless lump. With timely surgery and the right drug treatment, most women diagnosed early go on to live full lives.
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Warning signs of breast cancer
- A lump in the breast or armpit, often painless
- A change in the size or shape of a breast
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin, like orange peel
- A nipple that turns inwards, or blood-stained discharge
- Redness, scaling or a sore on the nipple or breast skin
These signs often have other causes. If one lasts more than two to three weeks, see a doctor and get it checked.
Who is at higher risk
- Age over 40
- Breast or ovarian cancer in a close relative
- First child after 30, or no children
- Not breastfeeding
- Obesity and low physical activity
- BRCA gene changes
How breast cancer is diagnosed
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1
Breast examination
A doctor examines both breasts and the armpits.
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2
Mammogram and ultrasound
Imaging shows the size and character of the lump.
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3
Core needle biopsy
A small sample confirms cancer and tests hormone receptors (ER, PR) and HER2, which decide the drug treatment.
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4
Staging scans
CT, bone scan or PET-CT checks whether the cancer has spread, mainly for larger tumours.
Treatment options
The right plan depends on the stage, the type of cancer and your overall health. Most patients receive more than one of these.
Surgery
Breast-conserving surgery removes only the lump with a margin; mastectomy removes the whole breast. Lymph nodes in the armpit are checked at the same time.
Chemotherapy
Given before surgery to shrink a large tumour, or after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer returning.
Radiotherapy
Usually needed after breast-conserving surgery, and after mastectomy for larger tumours or affected lymph nodes.
Hormone and targeted therapy
Tablets such as tamoxifen or letrozole for hormone-positive cancers, and HER2-targeted drugs for HER2-positive cancers.
Breast Cancer treatment at ZenHeal
Surgical oncologists at both hospitals perform breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy. The Varanasi radiation oncologist has published research on shorter radiotherapy schedules after mastectomy, which can mean fewer hospital visits.
Doctors who treat breast cancer
Common questions about breast cancer
No. Most breast lumps are not cancer, but every new lump should be examined and, if needed, tested with an ultrasound or biopsy.
Not always. Many women are suitable for breast-conserving surgery, especially when the tumour is small or shrinks with chemotherapy first.
It depends on the stage and type. Surgery and chemotherapy usually take 4 to 6 months, radiotherapy 3 to 5 weeks, and hormone tablets continue for 5 years or more.
Other cancer types
Diagnosed or worried about breast cancer?
Upload your reports for a free review, or ask a ZenHeal oncologist to call you back.