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Breast Cancer is a cancerous tumour that starts in the cells present in the lobes or the glands of the breast that make milk. A tumour is visible with abnormal growth that may be benign or malignant. The benign or non-invasive tumour does not spread to other parts of the body and is not life-threatening. Whereas the malignant or invasive tumour spreads to other parts and can be dangerous.

The reason behind the formation of the cancer is not exactly clear but according to various research, it's influenced by environmental, hormonal and lifestyle factors. Its other factors might include early menstruation, genetics or family history of breast cancer, delayed menopause and obesity, age factor and using oral contraceptives.

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Mohit Saxena, Consultant and Head of Medical Oncology, Manipal Hospital, Gurugram listed a few questions that every woman should ask her doctor at 40 or above to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Risk After The Age Of 40

According to the doctor, a few lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of breast cancer are avoiding alcohol, having a balanced diet, avoiding gaining unnecessary weight and keeping a record of blood pressure levels regularly. Even if you feel healthy, you should consult a doctor and take proactive steps to know about the risk of cancer which is a prevailing cause of concern for women aged 40 or above. To begin with, you should book an appointment with your healthcare provider. On your visit, a few basic questions you can ask can be-

  • How does your family history of breast cancer (if any) affect your health?
  • What type of regular checkups or screenings should you undergo to eliminate the risk factor?
  • What are the warning signs and symptoms of breast cancer?
  • What changes can you look for in breasts?
  • What can be the reason if your menopause has been delayed?

Further, he said regular screening should be done to avoid the risk factors of breast cancer. It may include Mammography which is a type of x-ray screening which helps to detect cancer at an early stage and is advised for every woman to get it done starting at the age of 40 years and repeat every 1 to 2 years depending upon family or personal health history. To live a healthy life and avoid the risk factors, every woman should be well educated about the risks and signs that could help in diagnosing cancer earlier. Not ignoring any health factors that may be pointing toward something serious and visiting your healthcare provider at the earliest can help in early diagnoses and help you to recover faster.

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