Posted On: 2021-10-08 11:54:35
Cells in the human body frequently divide (reproduce) when new cells are needed. Sometimes, cells in a part of the body divide and grow out of control, which creates a mass of tissue called a tumour. If the cells that are growing out of control are normal cells, the tumour is called benign (not cancerous). If, however, the cells that are growing out of control are abnormal and do not function like the body's normal cells, the tumour is called malignant (cancerous).These cells harm the body and can be deadly if not treated at an early stage.
Cancers are named after the section of the body from which they originate. Breast cancer originates in the breast tissue and hence the name breast cancer. Like other cancers, breast cancer can invade and grow into the tissue surrounding the breast. It can also travel to other parts of the body and form new tumours, a process called metastasis.
Breast cancer is the second predominant cause of cancer death in women. (Only lung cancer kills more women each year.) The chance that a woman will die from breast cancer is about 1 in 39 (about 2.6%). It is reported that every four minutes, an Indian woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is on the rise, both in rural and urban India. Breast cancer accounts for 14% of cancers among Indian women. According to a 2018 report, Breast Cancer statistics recorded 1,62,468 new registered cases and 87,090 reported deaths. Breast cancer does not only affect women. One in every 1,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Alcohol consumption raises the risk of breast cancer. Only about 5-10% of people with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. As per Stat, a term coined by Breast Cancer Action, “pinkwashing.” What began as a strategic, research-driven, and eventually effective fundraising approach has been co-opted by many in the name of profit.
Throughout the month of October, companies eager to encourage sales plaster their products with pink ribbons and inspirational quotes. The best of them contribute all or a significant percentage of the proceeds to the cause. Many others commit nominal amounts. Breast cancer survivors are flooded with requests to participate in corporate campaigns, often with no promise of compensation. Breast Cancer Awareness Month has done a lot of good over the past 35 years.
Breast cancer warning signs include:
- a new breast or underarm lump (armpit).
- Swelling or thickening of a portion of the breast.
- Breast skin irritation or dimpling.
- Redness or flaky skin around the nipple or breast.
- Nipple pulling in or pain in the nipple area
- Other than breast milk, nipple discharge can include blood.
- Any change in the breast's size or shape.
- Breast pain in any location.
Keep in mind that these symptoms can also occur as a result of non-cancer conditions.
Women are advised to have a breast self-exam every 3 to 4 months to detect breast cancer at an early age. When found early, it is easily treatable. Be friends with your breasts and know them.
A breast self-exam for breast awareness is a self-examination of your breasts. You use your eyes and hands to determine if there are any changes in the look and feel of your breasts to help increase your breast awareness. If you notice any new breast changes, consult your doctor.
Due to regional differences in healthcare norms, the quality of treatment for breast cancer patients ranges from poor to world-class. In recognition of this, a recent attempt was made to draught national breast cancer management recommendations, which took into account the available data on breast cancer patients as well as logistics and economics.
The treatment also depends on the type and stage of cancer, the patient’s sensitivity to hormones, their age and immune system and much more. Mainstream treatments of breast cancer include:
- Surgery
- Biological or targeted drug therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
The ICMR/WHO national breast cancer management protocols are still in their infancy and are far from being implemented on a nationwide scale. A patient's quality of breast cancer therapy is determined by a variety of circumstances, including where they live, which institutions they can access, how much they can afford to spend on their treatment, and so on.
Families or individuals facing financial difficulties or a crisis may have difficulty obtaining these costly treatments.
Because of the high expense of treatments as well as the urgent need for treatment, fundraising or crowdfunding is the best option for immediate assistance and the fight for breast cancer.
Because it is cost-effective and simple to get started, crowdfunding is a great fundraising option for breast cancer treatment. Crowdfunding projects are so simple to set up and manage that you can start one and watch donations roll in while you focus on your treatment.
It's easy to see why crowdfunding has taken over the fundraising world. The ability to pool donations from an entire community makes any project, programme, or goal attainable. However, crowdfunding involves far more than simply creating a campaign page. You must motivate your donor base to contribute and spread the word, just as you would with any other fundraising effort. You can try your hand at crowdfunding success if you create engaging content, keep supporters updated, and remind them to donate and share.
Since we have entered breast cancer awareness month, here are some initiatives that can help us stay more involved and active for the cause.
Pink evening:
A pink party is like any other fundraising event or social gathering, but everything is pink in honour of breast cancer awareness. Making all the decorations, chairs, and food-themed pink fitting the cause of the gathering.
Accepting donations throughout the party, or charging an entry/admission fee can help raise money for the cause.
These parties are an excellent way to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and/or treatment because they emphasise the colour pink which denotes breast cancer awareness. So gather all of your friends for a night of pink-themed fundraising.
Breast cancer awareness walkathon:
Get some exercise while also raising funds! Breast cancer walks are well-known around the world and can be very successful and inspiring.
Walkathons, which are typically organised by a specific community or organisation, ask participants to secure donation pledges based on the distance they can walk.
Pledges will be the main source of income for the fundraiser, but make sure that your walkathon includes items for sale such as concessions and commemorative t-shirts. In addition, plan around the weather and look for indoor venues during the winter.
Help a cancer patient:
There are many ways we can show our support and gratitude towards cancer patients. You can assist your loved one by organising meal deliveries, trips, as well as other tasks. By assisting your loved one through an online social network and planner, you can help bring together the patient's family, friends, and work colleagues.
Women are advised to have a self-breast exam every 3 to 4 months. Keeping a record on your calendar can help you track your breast examinations easily. When found early, it is easily treatable.
Breast screenings are advised to do every year to properly examine what a breast self-exam might not be able to do too. It is a thorough check-up therefore can detect cancer at its early symptoms.
Be friends with your breasts and know them.
This breast cancer awareness, let us aim not only to be aware but also to support the fight for breast cancer, as well as honour the one who survived with grace and the true heroes we lost to the fight.
Author : Lubdha Dhanopia
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