Last Updated on October 8, 2026 4:28 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
“A lump is not always cancer, but every new change in the breast deserves attention”
Bengaluru
Breast cancer is no longer a disease that women can afford to think about only after 50. With changing lifestyles, delayed pregnancies, reduced physical activity and increasing awareness around women’s health, breast cancer is becoming an important health concern for women in urban and rural India. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Vidya V Bhat, Senior Gynaecologist and Infertility Specialist, Medical Director, Radhakrishna Multispeciality Hospital and IVF Centre, Bengaluru urges women to stop postponing breast health checks in the middle of their busy personal and professional lives.
“In my years of practice, one thing I have repeatedly seen is that women tend to put themselves last. They are very careful about the health of their children, husbands and parents but when it comes to their own health they often wait or neglect . Breast cancer is one area where waiting can make a difference. A woman does not have to panic about every breast lump, but she should never ignore a new or unusual change,” says Dr Vidya V Bhat.
According to the World Health Organization breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women globally, and around 80% of breast cancers occur in women who do not have a specific risk factor apart from being a woman and increasing age.
Dr Bhat points out that women in cities such as Bengaluru often lead extremely demanding lives. Long working hours, sedentary routines, irregular meals, inadequate exercise, stress and lack of time for preventive health checks have become part of everyday life for many women.
“We cannot blame lifestyle alone for breast cancer, because there are women with no obvious risk factors who also develop the disease. But maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, eating sensibly and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol are important for overall cancer prevention and women’s health. More importantly women should know their own breasts and recognise when something has changed,” she says.
While family history can increase risk not having a family history does not mean a woman is protected. This is an important misconception that needs to be addressed, particularly among younger women.
One of the biggest misconceptions about breast cancer is that it will necessarily cause pain.“Breast cancer does not always come with pain. A painless lump, a change in the size or shape of the breast, skin changes, nipple retraction or unusual nipple discharge should not be ignored. Sometimes the change may turn out to be completely benign but the only way to know is to get it examined,” explains Dr Bhat.
She also cautions women against self-diagnosing a lump based on information available online.
Today, women have access to a lot of information on the internet, which is useful but can also create unnecessary fear. I have seen women become extremely anxious after discovering a lump, while others ignore it because someone told them it was probably hormonal. Neither approach is right. Get it examined by a doctor and take the appropriate investigation based on your age and clinical findings,” she adds.
Women should become familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts and pay attention to any persistent change. The Government of India’s population-based screening programme includes breast cancer screening for women aged 30 years and above, with clinical breast examination by trained healthcare personnel.
“The right screening approach depends on the woman’s age, symptoms, family history and individual risk. Mammography, ultrasound and clinical examination each have their place. A woman should not simply walk into a diagnostic centre and decide which test she needs based on what a friend has done. Discuss it with your gynaecologist or doctor particularly if you have symptoms or a family history of breast cancer,” says Dr Bhat.
Dr Bhat says another concern she encounters is the belief that breast cancer is only an older woman’s disease. “We are seeing breast cancer in younger women as well. So, if a woman in her 30s notices a persistent lump or any unusual breast or nipple change, she should not dismiss it because of her age. At the same time, I would not want young women to live in fear. Awareness is not about constantly looking for cancer it is about knowing when something is different and acting on it,” she explains.
Dr Bhat believes Breast Cancer Awareness Month should move beyond pink ribbons and social media messages and encourage women to take one practical step towards their health.
“My message to women this October is very simple don’t wait for a health scare to start taking care of yourself. If you have been postponing a breast examination, speak to your doctor. If you have noticed a change don’t wait for it to disappear on its own. And if you have a family history, understand your personal risk and discuss an appropriate screening plan. Early detection can make a significant difference to treatment and outcomes,” she says.
Not every breast change is cancer. But every persistent or unusual change deserves a medical opinion.