Breast Cancer Programme

Breast Cancer Hospital in Delhi

Breast Cancer is a form of cancer that develops due to the uncontrolled growth of the cells of the breasts. It is one of the most prominent forms of cancer majorly found in women, but can also occur in men.

The Breast Cancer Programme at BLK-Max Cancer Centre offers varied Breast surgeries, including Radical Resections, Breast Conservations, a variety of Breast Reconstructions involving Sentinel Lymph Node Techniques.

Programme Highlights:

The programme consists of a multi-team care approach for each patient by nationally recognised experts working together in a collaborative manner.

Superior Diagnostic Capabilities:

Digital Mammography
Breast Ultrasound
3T Breast MRI
Image-guided Breast Core Biopsy
PET / CT, Sophisticated Interventional Radiology Procedures (Wire Localisation) and Stereotactic
Biopsy
Sentinel Node Evaluation (SLNB) using Gamma Probe

Advanced Treatment Options:

Breast Conservation Surgery and Oncoplasty for Complex Primary Tumours
Single Dose Intra-operative Radiation Therapy (IORT) and 3D Conformal Partial Breast Irradiation (CPBI) which can minimise radiation treatment duration
Skin Sparing Mastectomy which salvages most of the normal skin of the breast with Breast
Reconstruction procedures that go beyond Breast Implants or Conventional Tissue Flaps
Survivorship Programme for both the patients and family members

Where Does Breat Cancer Begin?

Usually, breast cancer can begin from:

The luminal cells - The milk-producing glands
The ducts - Passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple
The stromal tissues - Includes the fatty and fibrous connective tissues of the breast

What Are The Signs & Symptoms For Breast Cancer?

Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer include:

A lump in the breast or thickening that feels different from the other surrounding tissues
Noticeable change in the appearance of the breast either in shape or size
Changes in the skin over the breast like the formation of dimpling
Signs of a newly inverted nipple
Swelling in the armpit
Changes in the skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin such as peeling, crusting scaling or flaking of the pigmented area
Redness or pitting of the breast skin (like the skin of an orange)

How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?

Cancer Doctors or Oncologists conduct various tests to diagnose Breast Cancer to ascertain the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.

Breast Cancer is often diagnosed using the following tests:

Breast Ultrasound
Diagnostic Mammography
3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Image-guided Breast Core Biopsy
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
PET / CT
Sophisticated Interventional Radiology Procedures (Wire Localisation)
Stereotactic Biopsy
Sentinel Node Evaluation (SLNB) using Gamma Probe
Staging Tests

What Are The Treatments For Breast Cancer?

Surgical Process: Oncologists use the following types of surgical process to remove tumour from the body:
1. Mastectomy: It is a skin-sparing surgery that removes the whole breast with tumour.
2. Lumpectomy/Breast Conservation Surgery: Removal of lump around the breast with 1 cm axillary lymph clearance.
3. Breast Reconstruction Surgery: Reconstructive surgery helps in correcting deformities and restoring normal function after cancer related treatments. It aims to achieve the best possible repair outcomes for treatment-related damage. It is done along with or after Mastectomy/Lumpectomy.

Radiation Therapy: Involves the use of high-energy waves to kill cancer cells. Advanced Radiation Therapy used for Breast Cancer treatment include:
1. Single Dose Intra-operative Radiation Therapy (IORT)
2. 3DConformal Partial Breast Irradiation (CPBI)
Chemotherapy: Involves the use of powerful medicines to kill cancer cells
Hormone Therapy: Involves the use of hormonal drugs like estrogens to prevent hormones from fuelling the growth of Breast Cancer cells
Targeted Therapy: This therapy targets cancer specific genes, proteins or the tissue environment that contribute to cancer growth and survival
Immunotherapy: This therapy involves the use of medicines that prompt the body's immune system or natural defences to destroy cancer

A patient might get Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy or Targeted Therapy along with surgery or radiation. This approach helps in killing the left behind cancer cells, during other forms of treatment.

What Are The Precautions To Avoid Breast Cancer?

Keep a healthy weight
Be physically more active; exercise for at least 30 minutes daily
Eat healthy food and avoid too much alcohol consumption
Avoid smoking
If possible, try to breastfeed
Avoid the use of birth control pills, particularly if the person is a smoker or above 35 years of age
Go for regular screening every year, especially after 40 years of age

What are Bresat Cancer Risk Factors?

Genetic Factors

Gender: Breast cancer is 100 times more common in females than in males
Age: Women above 50 years of age are more prone to invasive cancer
Race: Caucasian women are more liable to develop Breast Cancer than women of other races.
Family History and Genetic Factors: Women with a family history of Breast Cancer or Ovarian Cancer are at high risk of developing Breast Cancer in the future.
Personal Health History: Women with a history of Breast Cancer treatment in the past are at increased risk of a relapse
Menstrual and Reproductive History: Menstruation before 12 years of age or menopause after 55 years of age; having the first child after 35 years of age or never having a child can increase the risk of Breast Cancer.
Certain Genome Changes: Mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 in certain genes can increase the risk of Breast Cancer.
Dense Breast Tissue: Having dense breast can make lumps harder to detect, thus increasing the risk of Breast Cancer.

Environmental and Lifestyle Risk Factors

Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity can increase the risk of Breast Cancer
Unhealthy Diet: A diet with high saturated fat and lacking fruits and vegetables can increase the risk of Breast Cancer
Being Overweight: A person is at an increased risk if she is obese or has already gone through menopause.
Drinking Alcohol: The more the consumption of alcohol, the greater the risk.
Radiation Therapy or HRT: Undergoing Radiation Therapy for breast before the age of 30 or taking prescribed combined Hormone Replacement Therapy for menopause can increase the risk for Breast Cancer.

What is Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in India?

Breast cancer treatment cost in India includes expenses for diagnosis, treatment procedures, and medications.

Many factors decide the treatment cost, such as the patient’s age, size of the tumour, type of cancer, and type of treatment the doctor advises. Based on these, there might be a variation in the cost of treatment.

More than 50% of the treatment cost goes to surgery. A major part of the treatment cost is because of hormonal and radiation therapy, which may be required before or after the surgery.

Around 10-20% of the treatment cost goes to diagnostic tests. The treatment cost also depends on the city and the hospital where the patient is getting treated.

Breast cancer treatment cost in India is transparent than in western countries such as the UK or USA. Many people from around the world visit India for the best breast cancer treatment.