Imphal, October 25: Of the different forms of cancer infecting women, cases of breast cancer are found to be most common.

Due to lack of awareness and proper knowledge among the people, 80 percent of breast cancer cases in Manipur are confirmed only at the third and fourth stages.

In view of the increased cases of breast cancer infection all over the world, the month of October is being observed as Breast Cancer Month with the objective to create awareness of the disease among people.

According to the Head of Radiotherapy Department RIMS Prof Th Tomcha said that of the different forms of cancer infecting women in Manipur, breast cancer accounts for 21 percent while womb cancer accounts for 16 percent.

As majority of the Manipuri women lack proper knowledge of the disease, 80 percent of the women infected by breast cancer realised the infection only at the third and fourth stages of breast cancer.

If the disease can be detected at the initial stage, breast cancer can be cured by almost 90 percent.

The chance of successfully treating breast cancer stands at 60 to 70 percent if the disease is detected in its second stage.

If infection by breast cancer is detected in the third stage, the chances of curing the disease reduced to 40 to 45 percent.

At the fourth stage, the patient has a very slim chance of getting treated successfully.

The chance of such patients getting cured stands at just 10 percent.

"The early cancer infection/development is detected, the greater are chances of getting cured", said Prof Tomcha.

Treating cancer at its initial stage also reduced the cost of treatment considerably, he added.

Prof Tomcha cited marriage after 30 years, low rate of breast feeding, reduced child birth, lack of proper physical exercise, smoking, consumption of liquor, hereditary infection, excessive obesity and consumption of too much red meat as some of the causes for the increased cases of breast cancer.

If women are cautious and a little careful, 90 percent of breast cancer infections can be detected in its initial stage.

A woman may effectively reduce the chances of breast cancer infection by marrying before 35, indulging in proper breastfeeding, doing regular physical exercise, avoid or reduce abortion rate to the minimum, abstinence from hormone replacement therapy, regular self-examination of breasts by all women above 20 years every month, body examination for all women between 20 to 40 years every three years and physical examination for all women above 40 years every year, Prof Tomcha explained.

In case any lump or hardened spot is found during self-examination of breasts, relevant doctors should be consulted at once, he added.

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