Make self-exam a trend too.

This World Cancer Day,
take a pledge.

#SelfE

The SelfE Campaign

With changing lifestyle of the modern era, breast cancer is becoming a raising concern among the women. One out of 8 women is likely to have invasive breast cancer in the course of their life. It is the most common cancer found in women in India. However, early detection of breast cancer increase survival rates by 95%.

#Selfies have become an inseparable part of our life. It’s all about showing self-love. But there’s one more way. Breast cancer self-exam. It empowers women to analyse changes and save lives. At the Women’s Cancer Care Center at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, Bengaluru, we are driven by the purpose of encouraging every woman to do self-exam regularly. And help them with timely expert diagnosis, followed by specialised care. So, this World Cancer Day, let us all pledge to get self-exam trending. #SelfE

Support the cause

The aim of the campaign is to spread awareness and ensure every woman knows about self examination. Join us to support the cause by participating in the SelfE campaign and help in spreading awareness. By participating, you will not only enlighten your friends and family, but also contribute to the community in taking a step closer to a breast cancer free world.

Here are simple steps in which you can participate to support the cause:

  • Follow our instagram account @bgsgleneaglesglobalhospital
  • Comment on the post and tag another female friends to participate in the cause
  • Click and post a selfie on your account and tag our instagram account to your post

20 lucky participants will get exciting gift vouchers.

Steps of Self Breast Examination

How to do a breast self-exam: The five steps

One can self-examine their breasts in 5 easy and simple steps at home.

  • Step 1: Observe your breasts by looking at them in the mirror. Watch out for signs like dimpling, puckering, or bulging of skin, unusual redness, soreness, rash or swelling, change in position of nipples or inverted nipples.
  • Step 2: Similarly, in front of the mirror, raise your arms and watch out for the same signs.
  • Step 3: While in front of the mirror, watch out for any signs of fluid coming from one or both nipples. One must watch out for watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood.
  • Step 4: Lie down on your back and raise one arm and use the other arms to feel your breasts, using light to medium pressure. One must watch out for unusual lumps and bulges.
  • Step 5: Stand or sit and raise one hand, use the other hand to make even circular motions on the breast. Watch out for the same signs as mentioned above.

If you suspect anything unusual, do not wait and book an appointment with an oncologist for further screening and diagnosis.

Avail a consultation with an Oncologist and a Bilateral Mammogram @499/- only.

Our Doctors

The Women’s Cancer Care Center at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bangalore has one of the best teams to treat cancer. We have a team of some of the most experienced and well-trained surgeons for different types of cancers like breast cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal carcinoma, oral disease, uterine neoplasms, cervical malignancies, blood disorder, thyroid tumors, brain tumor, etc. This department is equipped not only by quality infrastructure, but also highly trained doctors who are experts in their fields such as surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists.

Dr Monika Pansari

Department: Oncology/Cancer Care

Designation: Consultant – Surgical Oncology

Qualification: M.B.B.S., M.S. (General Surgery), D.N.B. (Surgical Oncology)

Know More

Dr Mathangi J

Department: Oncology

Designation: Senior Consultant & In-Charge Radiation Oncologist

Qualification: M.B.B.S., DMRT, DNB (Radiotherapy)

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Why Choose Us?

BGS Gleneagles Global Women’s Cancer Centre is a center for all women’s cancer-related treatment which guarantees that the patient will be in safe hands. We have a team of highly trained surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and nurses who are experts at treating all kinds of cancers with utmost care; whether it's prevention or cure. Their dedication has been rewarded by them being one among Bangalore’s leading centers when it comes to women’s cancer care.

10 YEARS OF CANCER CARE & EXCELLENCE

Frequently Asked Questions

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the breast. The breast is made up of lobes, milk ducts, fatty tissue, and lymph nodes. About 1 in 8 women in the world will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. It's also the most commonly found cancer among women in India.

Breast cancer usually starts with cells in your body growing out of control. As these abnormal cells grow, they form a mass or tumor. Breast tumors are classified according to their appearance under a microscope as well as by where they are located - lymph nodes or other organs such as the lungs or liver.

What can be done to reduce the risk of breast cancer?

There is no proven way to help prevent breast cancer, but certain alterations in lifestyle can lower the risk. Steps that might reduce your chance include maintaining a healthy weight and having an active lifestyle with plenty of physical activity as well as limiting alcohol consumption or waiting until after pregnancy before getting pregnant again.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

This is a question that many people ask. The symptoms of breast cancer may include a painless lump or mass, bulging of skin, dimpling, puckering, nipple retraction, or change in skin colour and discharge. Having one or more of these symptoms is not a sure shot sign of breast cancer. However, consulting a specialist is recommended.

When is the best time to perform a breast self-exam?

We recommend waiting several days after your monthly cycle has finished to do a breast self-exam. Hormonal changes that happen during menstruation can affect the size and feel of breasts, so it's best done when they are in their normal state rather than while on hormonal medications or birth control pills which will alter how you see yourself. For women who don't have their monthly cycles due to either menopause or hysterectomy - keeping track with one specific day each month is recommended for safety reasons!

What can be the causes of breast cancer?

Though the definite cause of breast cancer is still not clear, many factors increase the risk. These factors include increasing age, alcohol, late pregnancy, early menstruation, late menopause, and family history, use of oral contraceptives and history of radiation therapy.

Older women are more likely to develop cancer than younger ones; in fact, risk increases by 10% in every one-year period. Breast cancer risk can be higher when a person has inherited genes for this type of cancer; if someone in the family had the disease, risk is higher. If there are cases in more than one generation, risk becomes even greater.

How frequently should the breast self-examination be performed?

It's best to be familiar with your breasts and know what is normal for you. It is also important to be aware of how your breasts normally feel so that you can notice any changes in feeling, shape or appearance. The recommended time of performing self breast exams is at least once monthly. If any abnormalities are found the self breast exam should be performed more frequently. If a lump is found self breast exams should be done every day for a couple of weeks to a month. The self breast exam is not meant to take the place of regular visits with your doctor but rather serves as an additional way for you to become familiar with what is normal for you. If abnormalities are prominent, it is advised to consult a specialist without any further delay.

If both breasts appear to be of different sizes during the self-exam, is it an indication of breast cancer?

Not really. Many women experience breast asymmetry, which is when one or both of their breasts are different sizes. This condition has no known connection with cancer - it's just an issue that many people deal with on a day-to-day basis and shouldn't be anything to worry about. In fact, it might be result of more breast tissue one side than the other.

Can breast self-exams replace mammograms or breast cancer screenings?

No. Breast self exams are great for getting acquainted with your breasts and identifying any potential problems, but they can't take the place of mammograms. Mammogram examinations look under skin to find tumors before these health risks become visible in a regular examination; this would not be possible with self-examination.