Is swelling in the breasts a symptom of cancer?

While the incidence of breast cancer is low in India compared to many other countries, the figure seems to be increasing. This makes awareness about cancer and cancer treatment imperative among people. But not all lumps and swellings in the breast are cancer. Watch Dr. Vijayalakshmi Balakrishnan and Dr. Kriti Katherine Kabeer talk about abnormal lumps and swellings in the breasts.

   Occasional tenderness and pain in the breasts – Is it something to worry about?

• Pain in the breasts around the menstrual cycle period is very normal among women. The pain might occur in one breast or sometimes in both. Often you might also experience swelling of the breasts when the menstrual cycle is around the corner. The breasts might look engorged than usual, and the veins might look more prominent.
• Some women might get extra fat in the armpits, especially during pregnancy, which can also be painful during the menstrual cycle. You don’t have to panic since this is not something to be treated. Doctors usually advise the women to wear supportive bras.

Also Read: Raising Breast Cancer Awareness – Answers to questions you always wanted to ask

Is there any connection between the type of bras we wear and the incidence of breast cancer?

• No, there isn’t any connection between the type of bra you wear and the incidence of breast cancer. You can wear any bra if it supports your breasts correctly and without causing your pain.
• People sometimes complain of pain (non-cyclical) in the breasts, primarily because of the bras. Choose the ones that would provide proper support to the breasts.

     Watch the full video at 

Kauvery Hospital

Self-examination of the breasts regularly might help you be cautious and prepared at all times. Even if it is cancer, early cancer treatment can save you from a lot of stress, and this is possible only with regular breast examination and timely diagnosis.

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Breast cancer and reconstruction - Part 2

Breast reconstruction is a procedure by which, after mastectomy, the breast or breasts of the patients undergoing surgery is rebuilt. This can be done during or after mastectomy, but there is little awareness among the women and even the cancer patients. Even after years of undergoing cancer surgery, breast reconstruction can be done.

Before going into the details, know that early detection of cancer is very important, and thus we recommend everyone go with regular screenings. Search with options like "oncologist near me" and find the best to get your screenings or treatments done.

Our plastic surgery specialists answer some of the important questions about breast reconstruction surgery and how it can help cancer patients.

1.      What is oncoplastic breast surgery, and how is it done?

This is a type of surgery that combines both the techniques of plastic surgery and breast surgery. Using this procedure, you can provide better aesthetic results for the patient undergoing the mastectomy procedure. There are two types in this:

·         Volume displacement technique: After removing the tumour and some of the surrounding healthy tissues from the breast there will a cavity present. The breast shape is remodelled to look normal or similar to the other breast's symmetry using this breast reconstruction technique.

·         Volume replacement surgery: If it is a small breast or rearranging the tissues inside the breast is not possible, volume replacement surgery is done. In this technique, tissues from other body parts, like from the back, are removed and then filled in the breast cavity.

Planning is the most important part of oncoplastic breast surgery. The oncologist and oncoplastic surgeon discuss all the possible options with the patient and then decide on the method. There are custom-made flaps that can be done according to the type of tumour and the patient's breast size.

Also Read: The Difference between Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery

If you want to learn more about breast reconstruction techniques and how it can benefit the cancer patient, then watch the full video at https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=266845055140999

Kauvery Hospital

70% of women who undergo breast cancer surgery do not know that a breast reconstruction is an option. Also, there aren't many institutions with experienced oncoplastic surgeons who can carry out the technique perfectly.  In Kauvery Hospital, we offer premium treatments with the best oncoplastic surgeons and cancer specialists in Chennai.

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Breast cancer and reconstruction - Part 1

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Breast cancer requires surgery, and this is where breast reconstruction comes in. Breast reconstruction can build back your breast or breasts after mastectomy. This can be done during or after the mastectomy procedure, but most women aren’t aware of this or do not have access to experienced professionals in the procedure.

Here are some common questions people have on breast cancer and breast reconstruction that our plastic surgery specialists answer for you.

1.      Why is it important to diagnose breast cancer early?

When cancer is detected early, the treatment can be done early, resulting in the patient with a better quality of life and survival outcomes. Screening mammograms are used to detect the cancers early, thus making the outcome better than when it is found at the last stages. Therefore, you must regularly screen for cancers. If you feel any lumps or symptoms, try searching “Oncologist near me” to get help immediately.

Other than this, when breast cancer is detected early, the tumour can be removed with breast-conserving surgery while preserving the rest of the breast. This procedure is usually followed with radiation therapy to treat the breast entirely locally.

Also Read: Life during and after Breast Cancer Treatment

2.      What are the options available in breast reconstruction during early breast cancer surgery?

In breast-conserving surgery, the tumour and some normal tissues around it are removed. After this, there is an option of refilling this cavity with our body tissues.

Oncoplastic breast surgery is a form of breast-conserving surgery that combines plastic surgery techniques and breast cancer surgery. This gives the patient a better aesthetic outcome and quality of life after the surgery without compromising the local control of cancer. There are two types in this called volume displacement techniques and volume replacement techniques.

To know more about breast cancer and reconstruction, watch our video at https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=266845055140999&ref=watch_permalink

Kauvery Hospital

Detecting breast cancers early can lead to the person getting faster treatment and returning to their normal lifestyle sooner. Breast cancers can be treated thoroughly, and breast reconstruction can ensure better aesthetic outcomes. Kauvery Hospital has some of the best cancer specialists in Chennai and experienced plastic surgeons who can carry out these procedures.

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Can a cancer patient take Covid vaccination?

Covid vaccination has been constantly recommended as a precaution against contracting Covid-19 and preventing the mass spreading of the infection. But there remain many queries regarding the vaccine, and one among them is whether it is safe for cancer patients to take the vaccine.

The short answer to the question is, yes, cancer patients can take the vaccination, but you will have to consult with your oncologist first. The oncologist will suggest you a suitable time based on related factors like your ongoing therapy and the history of allergies. If you have any queries regarding vaccination for cancer patients, you can contact Kauvery hospital at 914440006000 to book an appointment or use the oncology doctors near me option.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccination: All Your Doubts Answered

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Cancer and Tobacco

Tobacco is one of the most discussed but also an easily ignored topic. Tobacco is the leading cause of cancer and the deaths resulting from it. Estimates show that the deaths due to smoking contribute to 10 million each year worldwide, and we have 120 million smokers in our country.

Tobacco smoke has about 7000 chemicals in it of which 72 are carcinogens with the ability to cause cancer. There are two forms of tobacco.

1.       Smokeless Tobacco

This is the most common and prevalent type, especially in India. Tobacco is chewed with betel nuts, and this is considered to be the major contributing factor of the increased oral cancer in India.

Chewing tobacco with betel nuts and storing it in the mouth can cause infections, leading to oral cancer. Ingestion of this juice is also known to cause food pipe cancer.

Other forms of smokeless tobacco like paan and gutkha are also in increase. These contain chemicals that aid in the induction of OSMF and later oral cancer. Snuff which is inhaled through the nasal cavity can cause nose cancer.

2.      Smoke Tobacco (Cigarettes)

Nicotine is a substance that is present in the tobacco which makes it addictive for the user. With cigarettes the nicotine enters the bloodstream through the lungs and with smokeless tobacco it reaches through gums and digestive system.

Also Read: What you eat can help you fight cancer

Smoking can cause lung cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, and many more cancers. Smoking can also lead to the onset of other problems like heart diseases, sexual-related problems and such.

Passive Smoking: Most of us assume ourselves to be safe given we don’t smoke. But as mentioned before, tobacco smoke contains carcinogens, and regular exposure to the smoke while the other person is smoking can also cause cancer. Thus you must avoid tobacco on the whole and stay away from exposure.

Treatment

Cancer can be treated and even cured if diagnosed in the early stages. Thus if you have smoking problem meet a cancer specialist who can help you with the early diagnosis and oral cancer treatment or any cancer-related problems.

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