Breast Cancer Awareness for Women: What to Know About Symptoms, Tests & Treatment

When women search online about breast cancer, they’re not just looking for symptoms. They are looking for reassurance, clarity, and honest guidance. And in India, breast cancer cases have been rising; not because women are less healthy, but because screening and awareness have increased. Here, we give you complete guidance on what women are concerned about in real life and how Breast Cancer Specialist in Delhi, Dr. Rohan Khandelwal, addresses these issues related to breast cancer.

Let’s break down everything women actually want to understand.

Why Is Breast Cancer Increasing in India? (Real Reason)
You’ll hear people blame pollution, junk food, stress, late marriage, and late pregnancy. But the truth is:
Women are living longer (higher age = higher risk)
More women are getting screened (so more cases are found early)
Urban lifestyle factors such as sedentary habits, alcohol, and obesity after 40
Genetics accounts for approximately 5–10% only.

Early Symptoms Women Often Ignore

Breast cancer does NOT always start with a painful lump. Here are other symptoms that might signal that it is breast cancer.

Look for:

✔a new hard lump
✔skin puckering or dimpling
✔nipple turning inward
✔blood-stained or unusual discharge
✔persistent breast pain
✔change in breast size
✔redness or itching that does not go away

Most women search: “How do I know if my lump is cancer?”
Answer: Only a mammogram + biopsy can confirm.

Breast Cancer Screening in Delhi NCR: What Every Woman Should Know

Ages 20–39:
Self breast exam monthly
Clinical breast exam every 1–2 years

Ages 40+:
Mammogram every year
Ultrasound if breasts are dense
MRI for high-risk women

Who Is at “High Risk”?

If you have:

✔mother/sister with breast cancer
✔BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic mutation
✔early periods (<12 years)
✔late menopause (>55 years)
✔first pregnancy after 30
✔obesity post-menopause

Your screening frequency must be higher, says the Best Breast Surgeon In Gurgaon.

Diagnosis Pathway in Delhi NCR

Most oncologists in India follow:

✔Clinical exam
✔Ultrasound/Mammogram
✔Core Needle Biopsy(Or you can get Vacuum assisted breast biopsy)
✔MRI (if needed)
✔Staging PET CT

Modern hospitals in Delhi NCR use image-guided biopsies which are extremely accurate.

Treatment Options Are MUCH Better Today

Breast cancer is no longer a one-line diagnosis. It’s a highly treatable condition when detected early. Here are some of the options for Breast Cancer Treatment in NCR.

Breast-Conserving Surgery (BCS)
Breast-Conserving Surgery (BCS) removes only the tumor, not the whole breast.

Mastectomy
Mastectomy is a procedure that includes the complete removal of the breast, only needed in select cases.

Breast Reconstruction
Immediate or delayed reconstruction using implants or your own tissue.

Chemotherapy
It is usually not required for every patient. Only when tumor biology demands it, chemotherapy is done.

Radiation Therapy
It is mandatory after breast-conserving surgery.

Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is done for hormone-positive tumors.

Targeted Therapy
Modern drugs that attack specific cancer proteins.

“Doctor, Will My Hair Fall During Chemotherapy?”

This is a very common and emotional concern.

Not all chemo causes hair fall
Hair loss starts 2–3 weeks after first cycle
Hair grows back after treatment

Options: scalp cooling caps, wigs, short haircuts before chemo

Lifestyle Recommendations (Backed by Data)

To reduce risk:

✔Maintain BMI <25
✔Exercise 150 minutes per week
✔Reduce alcohol
✔Eat high-fiber, low-processed foods
✔Sleep 7 to 8 hours
✔Do annual mammograms

Frequently Asked Questions