Lesser Known Symptoms of Breast Cancer

 Identifying any disease at its early stages could help with a much easier and more successful treatment. But, to identify diseases and being aware of the symptoms is vital. With the flourishing of the internet, information is available at just the click of a button but understanding the difference between authentic and misleading information is crucial.

The CCI organization helps people understand and identify the symptoms of various diseases at their early stages and the treatment of the disease. Cancer is an illness that could be cured if its symptoms are identified at the early stages and brought to the attention of a cancer specialist. Dr. Manish Singhal is one of the most renowned and experienced cancer specialists in Delhi, NCR.

It also becomes crucial not to have any misconceptions regarding the symptoms of the disease. Breast cancer can be cured effectively if the treatment is appropriate. Mentioned below are some lesser-known symptoms of breast cancer.

 5 Lesser-Known Symptoms Of Breast Cancer

1. Swelling Near Armpit And Collar Bone

People usually tend to ignore the area around the armpit and the collar bone. The area around the armpit and the collar bone must be examined properly. If any swelling is experienced, the consultation of a cancer specialist is necessary.

2. Rashes

Although there could be many reasons why skin could develop a rash or feel itchy, it is also one of the lesser-known symptoms of breast cancer. To be on the safer side, getting the rash examined by a doctor is recommended.

3. Unusual/Constant Pain In The Breast Or Armpit

Various types of pain can occur in the breast or armpit. While some pain could be normal, if the pain is occurring without any reason and is unexplained, it should be brought to a doctor's attention. Also, if the pain is constant and unusual, it becomes crucial to get an examination done by a doctor.

4. Lumps

If any lumps develop or the skin thickens, it may indicate some underlying disease. If the skin feels different than usual, it is necessary to seek medical attention.

5. Redness

Another crucial symptom that many people do not know is the redness of the skin around the breast area. The redness of the skin must not be ignored and should be consulted with a doctor. 

Causes of Breast Cancer:

It is normal to think about what may have caused the disease once it is found that a person is affected by it. The exact reasons could, however, not be evaluated. Certain risk factors could cause breast cancer. If a distance is maintained from the risk factors, the chances of getting affected by the disease could reduce.

Family history and genes also play a crucial role in causing disease. If certain ancestors had a particular disease, the chances are that the disease could be carried forward. Although, family history cannot be blamed alone for getting affected by a disease.

Having a healthy diet and a good lifestyle is key when it comes to keeping the diseases away. Mentioned below are some things that could reduce the risk of getting affected by breast cancer.

 How Can The Risk Of Getting Affected By Breast Cancer Be Reduced?

• Staying Away From Alcohol

Alcohol could lead to the risk of getting affected by many diseases, and breast cancer is one of them. To reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, it is vital to stay away from alcohol.

• Avoid Smoking

Like alcohol, smoking could also have some adverse effects on a person's health. It could also lead to the development of breast cancer. To stay away from diseases and maintain a healthy life, smoking must be avoided.

•  Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight could have many health benefits, and reducing the risk of breast cancer is one of them. If a person is overweight, they must try to reduce their weight to be healthy. The consultation of a doctor could prove helpful to reduce weight healthily.

• Physical Activity

To achieve a healthy weight, physical activity is of necessity. Even if someone is of a healthy weight, they must develop a habit of daily exercise to stay fit and healthy.

• Regular Health Check-ups

Everyone must understand the importance of regular health check-ups. Regular health check-ups are crucial to make sure that everything in the body is functioning properly and there is nothing wrong. If there are any symptoms of breast cancer, they can be detected at an early stage due to regular health check-ups. If the symptoms are found at an early stage, the disease can be cured without any complications. 

To avoid getting affected by diseases and stay healthy, one must stay happy, stay away from any bad habits or addictions, and have a healthy lifestyle.

Having a positive mindset would help anyone recover from a disease. One must not get scared of a disease, rather fight it with positivity and strength. Finding the appropriate doctor and trusting the doctor with the treatment is also crucial.

It becomes vitally important to look out for the best doctor for the treatment of any disease. To find the Best Breast Cancer Doctor in Delhi, visit Cancer Consult India (CCI). Cancer Consult India offers one of the best Breast cancer treatments in Delhi. Visit the official website of CCI to know more.

How does lung cancer affect the body?

 Lung cancer is one of the two most common cancers in the world. In India alone, it constitutes about 6.9% of all new cancer cases and 9.3% of all cancer-related deaths in males & females.

Lung cancer begins in the cells of the lungs. It is nothing like cancer that starts somewhere else and spreads to the lungs. The primary symptoms of lung cancer involve the respiratory system, but in later stages, it can spread to distant organs as well.

In all it’s stages, lung cancer is treatable by specialists like Dr. Manish Singhal, the best lung cancer doctor in Delhi NCR.

However, the question we’re answering here relates to lung cancer’s effect on the body as a whole.

Lung cancer’s effect on the body

Lung cancer does not just affect your lungs. It is cancer after all, and it can spread. Once you have a tumor in your lung/s, the cancer cells can easily break off, forming new tumors nearby or anywhere in the body if it enters the lymphatic system or bloodstream. They can travel anywhere then, and this is called metastasis.

Commonly lung cancer spreads to:

-Lymph nodes

-Bones

-Brain

-Liver

-Adrenal Glands

Depending on where the cancer migrates, different organs/systems are affected.

An in-depth look:

• Respiratory system

Most lung cancer patients do not have any symptoms at first. However, if they do, they might have frequent bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia. They can sound hoarse or notice other changes in their voice.

Then comes persistent cough which will eventually become intense and produce mucus. With disease progression, mucus can change color or have blood in it. A hacking cough can cause chest pain which worsens with breathing or cough.

Shortness of breath, wheezing, becoming breathless even on little exertion is seen.

The respiratory system is the first system to be affected by lung cancer, and that is why this is where the primary symptoms are seen, according to top cancer doctors.

• Circulatory and cardiovascular systems

Cancer cells can make their way into the bloodstream and spread through the circulatory system throughout the body.

People with lung cancer can cough up blood, have fatal blood clots, can cause pulmonary embolism, etc. Lung cancer can also spread to the heart or the pericardial sac. (Rare) Radiation toxicity due to lung cancer can damage the cells of the heart.

Ask any oncologist in Noida, pan India, or worldwide, they’ll confirm.

• Immune & excretory systems

If lung cancer has metastasized to nearby lymph nodes, it can form lumps and bumps around your collarbone, neck, or armpits and cause neck or facial swelling. According to experts, some types of lung cancer can cause hormone-like substances to enter the bloodstream and cause “paraneoplastic syndromes.”

If it has spread to the liver, it can cause jaundice or liver pain.

• Central nervous system

Lung cancer, if it has spread to the brain, can cause memory problems, visual changes, dizziness, seizures, numbness of the limbs, weakness of the limbs, an unsteady gait, balance problems, etc. Not only that, but it can also cause Horner’s syndrome, which affects the face & the neck.

• Skeletal and muscular systems

If lung cancer has spread to the bones, it can cause bone and muscle pain, weakened bones, and an increased risk of fracture. If a cancer doctor performs an X-ray, he/she can detect it easily.

Some types of lung cancer are associated with an autoimmune disorder that interrupts the signals from the nerves to the muscles, Lambert-Eaton syndrome.

These are only a few examples. Lung cancer can also affect hormonal balance, weight, appetite, and more.

Winding up

Lung cancer affects more than the lungs. But today, with the advent of modern medicine, it can be treated and managed very well. The best way to do it is to consult an expert of repute like Dr. Manish Singhal, a leading cancer specialist in Delhi NCR.

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How is lung cancer treated?

 Lung cancer has wreaked havoc in many lives around the world. But with the advent of modern treatment, the chances of survival have improved drastically.

The 5-year survival rate for all people with all types of lung cancer is 19%. For women, it is 23%, and for men, it is 19%. Out of the two types of lung cancer, the 5-year survival rate for NSCLC is 24%, compared to 6% for small cell lung cancer.

The treatment options for lung cancer are many. The best treatment option for a patient is determined by the lung cancer doctor in-charge keeping the type, stage, and treatment goals in mind.

Not only that but a mix of different treatments may also be advised depending on the type of lung cancer.

The treatment plan has to be created and agreed upon by a cancer specialist and a patient. An informed decision is important because each treatment option has potential side effects, which can be managed. Get more information about the side effects of lung cancer treatment.

So, if you're a cancer patient, the best way for you to approach treatment is to consult a top specialist like Dr. Manish Singhal, the best lung cancer doctor in Delhi NCR.

Lung cancer treatments

There are two main types of lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer.

Many tests are performed to determine what type of lung cancer it is, what stage it is in, where it has spread, etc.

Not only that, but post lung cancer diagnosis, the cancer doctor may run tests like EGFR to find out if there is any change in the genes of the patient. This is mostly done in non-small cell lung cancer. The results of these tests help your doctor know which treatments will work best for you.

Here are the treatment options:

• Surgery

Surgery can be an option if the cancer is confined to the lungs. For a largely spread lung cancer, cancer doctors may recommend chemotherapy or radiation before surgery to shrink the cancer. Also, if there is a risk of cancer cells being left behind post-surgery, doctors can also recommend chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery.

The procedures include:

1. Wedge Resection-It removes a small section of the lung that contains the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue.

2. Segmental Resection-It removes a larger portion of the lung but not an entire lobe.

3. Lobectomy-It removes the entire lobe of one lung.

4. Pneumonectomy-It removes an entire lung

• Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.

It is often used for people with locally advanced lung cancer before or after surgery. It is also combined with chemotherapy therapy sometimes; becoming a primary treatment option along with chemotherapy if surgery is not a viable option. Not only that but for advanced lung cancers that have already spread to other areas of the body, radiation therapy helps relieve symptoms like pain.

• Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses specialized drugs to shrink or kill cancer cells. The drugs can be administered through the veins, orally, or through both. A combination of chemotherapy drugs is given in a series of treatments over weeks or months, with breaks in-between so patients can recover.

In people with advanced lung cancer, chemotherapy can also be used to relieve pain and other symptoms.

• Targeted Therapy

There are several targeted lung cancer treatments. Targeted treatments focus on unique abnormalities present within cancer cells. By remedying these abnormalities, targeted drug treatments specifically attack cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.

Certain targeted therapies only work in people who have cancer cells with specific genetic mutations. To ascertain whether the patient has the said genetic mutations the cancer cells may be tested.

The testing is important; ask a trusted oncologist in Noida or wherever you live about the testing before choosing targeted therapy.

• Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the patient's immune system against the cancer cells.

The body's immune system, which is designed to fight diseases, does not attack the cancer cells because the cells produce proteins that hide them from the immune system. Immunotherapy interferes with the process and allows the immune system to recognize & destroy cancer cells.

There are several more treatments and treatment adjacents, including palliative care to improve quality of life, clinical trial participation for better outcomes, coping with symptoms, alternative medicines, etc.

In conclusion

The treatment a patient receives is entirely dependent on the type of lung cancer, the stage, the spread, and most importantly, the cancer doctor. If you're a lung cancer patient, whether you're newly diagnosed or looking for a second opinion, you can always consult an expert in the area like Dr. Manish Singhal, a cancer specialist in Delhi NCR.

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Does obesity complicate cancer treatment?

Since 1975 worldwide obesity has tripled. 

A 2016 report stated that more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, are overweight. Of the 1.9 billion, 650 million were reported to be obese. 

The link between obesity & an increase in cancer risk has been observed. In fact, 1 in 20 cancer cases in the UK is caused by excess weight.

It is beneficial to note that a healthy weight reduces the risk of about 13 different types of cancer. 

In India, about 135 million+ individuals are affected by obesity. And with the advent of socio-economic development in the country, a part of the urban Indian population falls in the category, putting them at a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer.

Correlation between obesity and cancer

A multitude of researchers has shown through extensive research that excess body fat increases the risk of several cancers including colorectal cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer, uterine cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, and pancreatic cancers. 

According to experts, obesity-related cancer can be due to inflammation caused by visceral fat. Visceral fat has large cells, and they are many in the body protecting vital organs. An obese individual has more visceral fat in their body, leaving less room for oxygen. This low oxygen triggers inflammation. Not only that, but excess fat also affects different body processes, including how certain hormones like insulin and estrogen are managed. 

All of this can increase the risk of cancer by indirectly affecting how cells divide & how they die. 

Changes in the populations of immune cells due to diet, & in turn, obesity is also known to increase the risk of cancer. Obesity can reshape cancer cell mechanisms impairing T-cells’ inflammatory functions. It remodels cellular fuel use of tumors, increasing the fatty acid oxidation of cancer cells & reducing the numbers as well as the spatial positioning of CD8+ cells. This, in turn, reduces antitumor immunity.

Obesity and cancer treatment

Top cancer doctors and oncology researchers vouch for the fact that lean cancer patients mostly outlive obese cancer patients. Previously, it was believed to be only because of obesity itself. But today, cancer specialists are realizing that bad outcomes can be tied to mistreatment based on individual requirements. You see, obese patients come with risks that others do not, and that warrants a different treatment approach. 

In this blog, we will discuss the effect of obesity on different cancer treatments. 

• Cancer Surgery

The correlation between obesity & cancer surgery is a mixed bag. In the case of breast, colorectal, and intra-abdominal cancer, no correlation between BMI & short-term or long-term mortality along with major surgical complications has been found. But there is an increased frequency of minor surgical complications, which might increase costs, reduce the quality of life, & delay adjuvant therapy. Studies on prostate cancer, on the other hand, demonstrated prolonged surgical time & greater blood loss in obese patients. The effect of obesity was also correlated with an increased chance of recurrence, poor outcome, and potential need for different adjuvant treatments. 

• Radiation Therapy

Among prostate cancer patients being administered external beam radiation therapy, inferior outcomes due to obesity have been noted. External problems may arise as well; for example, delivering issues, like difficulty with daily set & increased likelihood of cancer location shifting. Not only that but it has also been observed that obese cervical cancer patients can even experience an increased rate of treatment-related toxicity compared to patients in the normal weight range. In breast cancer patients, cancer doctors have seen that a larger breast size & higher BMI can be associated with a higher risk of cute or late dermatitis after radiation.

• Chemotherapy

The dosing of chemotherapy drugs, which is essential in treating cancer, is calculated using BSA or body surface area in adults. Chemotherapy dosing is extremely important in treating cancer because it decides efficacy. Unfortunately, up to 40% of obese patients receive limited chemotherapy dosing, which does not correlate to their actual body weight. Why? Because of toxicity concerns among obese patients due to the higher dose of medication based on their actual body weight. 

Also, obese cancer patients often have comorbidities like vascular disease or diabetes. This increases the chances of peripheral neuropathy. Baseline peripheral neuropathy is often associated with dose-limiting chemotherapy‐induced neurotoxicity.

But a low dose of chemotherapy can increase chances of disease recurrence and mortality, contributing to low survival rates.

• Hormonal Therapy

Endocrine therapy is a common adjuvant treatment for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers with appropriate hormone receptors. In patients using tamoxifen, no correlation was found with obesity and efficacy or recurrence. But in premenopausal women taking ovarian suppression medication, high BMI was associated with low efficacy of endocrine therapies inhibiting aromatase and promoting the production of estrogen, including from adipose tissue, like anastrozole and goserelin. Aromatase Inhibitors or AI did not give as good results in obese women as they did in leaner women.

• Immunotherapy & stem cell therapy

There is very little information available regarding the efficacy of immunotherapy or stem cell therapy among cancer patients concerning BMI, whether normal or higher.

Does obesity hamper cancer treatment – Conclusion

Further research is needed to get a clearer picture of the correlation between the efficacy of cancer treatment and obesity because there are multiple gaps in the literature. While most research associated BMI with obesity, BMI cannot measure the adiposity of a body, which is important for treatment efficacy. Hence, more research is required in the area. However, the studies conducted so far have given a clear indication that obesity negatively impacts several cancer treatments, the bounds of which we are still discovering.

Note

Dr. Manish Singhal is a leading cancer specialist in Delhi NCR. With an acute understanding of lifestyle choices affecting cancer & cancer treatment, he & his team have successfully created efficient and customized cancer treatment plans for patients suffering from obesity and its many associated issues.

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Affordable Breast Cancer Treatments in India

 Many years back, cancer was considered to be incurable. While there are many types of cancers, breast cancer cases have been increasing during this decade. Improper awareness and unnecessary shame are making things worse.

People should be adequately informed about breast cancer and its types. Breast cancer is of two main kinds: In-Situ and Invasive. The in-Situ type does not spread to the adjoining tissues. But the Invasive type spreads to the adjacent tissues as well. 

Different breast cancer treatments:-

• Surgery: This is removing cancer tissue and some adjacent healthy tissue to ensure complete removal. Another surgery might be necessary for microscopic cancer cells left behind.

• Radiation therapy: This therapy uses x-rays or other high-energy rays to target and kill the cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy: Intake of drugs through pills or injection, which shrinks the cancer cells and destroys them.

• Hormonal therapy: It cuts off the supply of hormones aiding cancer cell growth, resulting in shrunken or dead cancer tissue.

• Biological therapy: it supports the body’s immune system to fight against the cancer cells. This therapy is also used to regulate the side-effects of cancer treatment.

Cancer treatment can be quite expensive. During the last decade, the cost has risen by 10 %. 

What is the cost of breast cancer surgery in India? 

The cost of the surgery depends on the stage of cancer:

 Stage- I→ 3 lakhs to 4.7 lakhs.

 Stage- II → 4.4 lakhs to 5.5 lakhs.

Stage- III → 5.6 lakhs to 6.8 lakhs.

Breast cancer treatment in Delhi NCR can cost around INR 5-6 lakhs. The treatment includes surgery, radiotherapy, and inspection. Six sessions of chemotherapy can cost up to INR 20 lakhs. Patients should be treated by the best breast cancer doctor in Delhi.

What is the most affordable cancer treatment?

Surgery is the cheapest option. It completely removes the cancer tissue, while chemotherapy and radiotherapy control reduces the growth of cancer cells. Successive chemotherapy sessions cost more than surgery. So, surgeries are preferred over chemotherapy. Chemotherapy sessions are recommended after surgery.

Low-cost breast cancer treatment in India. 

Chemotherapy is much relatively cheap in India. Surgery, radiotherapy, and the investigation are also less expensive.  

Should I consult a doctor before going for cancer treatment? 

Accurate information about breast cancer is necessary to decide the type of surgery. An ECMO gold medalist, Dr. Manish Singhal, a cancer specialist in Delhi, provides the best options for cancer patients. He is the best oncologist in Delhi because he views work as a passion rather than a profession. He believes that prolonged cancer treatment is not safe. It gets more challenging to deal with treatment at advanced stages due to life-threatening factors. 

Cancer Consult India (CCI) assists cancer patients to fight with high spirits and positivity. Dr. Manish Singhal, an oncologist in Noida, supports this initiative to conquer cancer with his expertise and motivating stories. CCI provides 24/7 availability, advanced technology, and modern solutions. Fight cancer under the best consultation and be victorious.  

Also Read: Metastatic Breast Cancer in the Lungs: Symptoms and Diagnosis