Bengaluru: Even though they realized that they had growth, many women delayed making themselves discribed breast cancer for fear of visiting hospitals during a pandemic, oncologists in Bengaluru said.
As a result, most patients who now see are in the third stage of the disease.
The doctor said this disease, which can be diagnosed in the first or second stage, especially among educated women, deteriorating.
Breast cancer, the most common type, accounts for 25-32% of cancer among women in urban areas, according to registrants.
October is the month of breast cancer awareness.
“Covid not only affects the diagnostic section, but also affects the treatment of patients who are confirmed,” said Dr.
Nidhi Tandon, a medical oncologist, Narayana Health City.
“Follow-up regularly also beat and influences the survival and quality of patient’s life.” Although there was no data to suggest a decrease in a hospital visit in India, Dr.
Tandon said that the NHS, England found that the incidence of breast cancer fell 27% during a pandemic.
“That does not mean the number of cases of breast cancer falls, but the number of hospital visits is drastically reduced,” he said.
“Like opposing 75-80 cases of new breast cancer that we will see in our hospital every month, we only see 30-35 during covid waves.” The impact of delays in seeking consultations was worse during and after the second wave, said Dr.
Tandon.
But what is most frustrated by the medical brotherhood is that breast cancer in most women can be cured if it is detected early.
Dr.
Niti Raizada, Director, Medical Oncology and Hemato Oncology, Fortis Hospital, quoted an example of a 29-year-old woman who eventually came in the third stage of this disease with two growth.
“The woman noticed the lump six months before, but looking for a diagnosis recently,” he said.
“Evaluation of cases of beating in April, May and June this year, which leads to lag in diagnosis and treatment.” He said time was a key factor in cancer treatment.
The situation seems to be no different global.
Fortis Hospital now see women on the third stage of Bangladesh, African and West Asian countries.
Dr.
Ramachandra, Director, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru, said their footsteps in their OPD fell to only 50 per day during the covid waves.
In the pre-covid period, they saw 1,500 patients a day.
“Covid is probably the reason for delay in seeking care, but it is not the only reason,” said Dr.
Ramchandra.
“Our population is relaxed in terms of cancer and more than 50% of patients seek treatment only when in the advanced stage.” He said depending on the type of breast cancer, there was a possibility that the disease advanced to the third stage in just six months.