“It’s One of the Best Gift for Yourself”
When you think of the 40th birthday celebration, what comes to your mind?
Girlfriend getaways? Exotic no-kids vacations with spouses? Adventurous escapades? Special family memories? Annual mammogram appointment?
Yes, you read that right. And why not?! Can you think of a better way to celebrate a new beginning?
In our latest episode of The GupShup, we speak to Dr. Niketa Chotai, Chairperson, SRS Breast Subsection and Consultant Breast Radiologist, Radlink Singapore.
Fear is one of the most common emotions that push women to put off their routine mammogram screening. “I completely understand. It is an emotional experience. You are getting checked for cancer, after all,” says Dr. Niketa. “However, one needs to understand that early detection is extremely essential for a positive outcome.”
Early detection opens the door for more treatment options and a better chance for survival. Women, whose breast cancer is detected at an early stage have almost 93 percent or higher survival rate in the first five years.
“Mammogram is the best screening tool available and this in combination with breast self-examination and clinical breast examination are your chances for finding cancer are even greater,” adds Dr. Niketa.
Some of the important points to keep in mind are:
- All women can begin self-breast examination from the age of 25.
- Women at average breast cancer risk should begin annual screening at age 40.
- Women who fall under the ‘high-risk’ category should begin screening as early as the age of 35 years.
Listen to the detailed interview of Dr. Niketa to understand why breast cancer awareness is so important and what are the various factors that each one of us needs to know.
