Actress Chhavi Mittal took to social media to share her fight against breast cancer. In a long post on Instagram Chhavi Mittal has thanked everyone for being supportive and caring to her.
"Dear breasts, This is an appreciation post for you," she writes and goes on to add about her condition.
Her Instagram post reads: "The first time I noticed your magic was when you gave me immense pleasure.. but your importance peaked when you fed both my babies. Today it’s my turn to stand by you when one of you fights cancer.
Its not the best thing to happen, but it doesn’t have to bog my spirits down. It’s not going to be easy, but it doesn’t have to be tough. I might not look the same again, but it doesn’t have to make me feel different.
A big cheer for all breast cancer survivors.. you have no idea how much inspiration I draw from you today.
And also, for those of you who already know, thank you for being so supportive. Every call you make, every msg you send, every visit you pay me.. is appreciated no end and that’s all that makes a difference.
#breastcancer
#breastcancerawareness
#breastcancerwarrior"
Breast cancer prevalence, signs and symptoms
As per the latest report of the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Breast cancer arises in the lining cells of the ducts and the lobules in the glandular tissue in the breast. In the initial stage it grows within a confined space and has minimal potential to spread. It gradually advances to surrounding breast tissue then spreads to the nearby lymph nodes and then to other organs of the body.
Increasing age, obesity, alcohol consumption, family history of breast cancer, postmenopausal hormone therapy are some of the main risk factors. "Unfortunately, even if all of the potentially modifiable risk factors could be controlled, this would only reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by at most 30%," says the WHO.
The common symptoms of breast cancer are:
lump or thickening in the breastchange in size and shape of the breastchange in the appearance of the nipple or the areola regionabnormal discharge from the nipple
Health experts have always suggested females to have an yearly health checkup or else do a self examination of breasts regularly. Presence of lumps under the arms should never be ignored. The WHO says: "Breast cancers may spread to other areas of the body and trigger other symptoms. Often, the most common first detectable site of spread is to the lymph nodes under the arm although it is possible to have cancer-bearing lymph nodes that cannot be felt."
When the cancer spreads to other parts of the body like lungs, liver and brain bone pain and headaches will be frequently experienced by the person.
The treatment of breast cancer is highly effective during the initial stage of the cancer.
Few common questions on breast cancer have been answered below:
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast. Breast cancer arises in the lining cells of the ducts and the lobules in the glandular tissue in the breast.What are the starting symptoms of breast cancer?
The initial symptoms of breast cancer are itchy breasts, change in breast shape and size, changes in nipple area, lump in breast.Can this be treated?
Yes treatment has been found to be very effective in the initial stages of the cancer.
