Fortis Hospital pilot : Visually-challenged women engaged to detect breast cancer

According to Mandeep S Malhotra, head, Department of Surgical Oncology at the hospital, "A very recent study on breast cancer has suggested peak incidence in Delhi, between 40-50 years. Also, most of the women present to us in stage III."

Lives of almost 90 per cent of the patients from this dreaded disease can be saved if it is detected at an early stage, he said.

Screening Mammography is mainly applicable after the age of 40, moreover, about 30 per cent of Indian women have dense breasts which are not idle for the mammogram, he said.

Breast cancer is rising rapidly in the country and one of the major diseases suffered by women.

All lumps or thickenings in the breast need medical attention to determine whether they are one of many benign lumps that can occur in the breast or are malignant.

Age, family history, genetics, dense breasts and race are the major risk factors for breast cancer. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, an inactive lifestyle and lack of exercise might also contribute to breast cancer, the hospital said.

Early symptoms of breast cancer may include pain in the breast, discharge, remarkable change in shape and size, rash, flaky or crusty nipple and dimpling of the skin, it said.