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Actress Hina Khan shocked and saddened her fans on Friday, June 28 when she shared the news of her stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis. An excerpt from her note read, “To address a recent rumour, I would like to share some important news with all the Hinaholics and all those who love and care about me. I have been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer”. The note also revealed that Hina was completely determined to beat the disease. Needless to say, the comments section was soon flooded with messages of concern and support from fans and industry peers after the sad announcement. The news of Hina’s diagnosis has once again drawn attention to breast cancer and what one can do to detect it early or better prevent it.
What signs and symptoms should one constantly monitor?
According to the American Cancer Society report, the most obvious sign is a lump or mass in your breast. A hard mass with irregular edges is the more common symptom of breast cancer, although some cancers can also cause tender and painful lumps. That said, lumps are not the only sign of breast cancer. Even if you don’t feel a lump, the report lists the following symptoms that should be taken seriously: swelling of all or part of the breast, dimpling of the skin, pain in the breast or nipple, nipple turning inward, nipple becoming red, dry, flaky or thickened, and/or discharge from the breast skin and nipple. Additionally, swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone may indicate the spread of cancer even before a tumor can be properly felt in the breast.
It’s also worth noting that not all lumps are cancerous. Still, any changes in your breast should be something you should consult with your doctor.
What can you do to prevent breast cancer?
First of all, one should be well acquainted with the way their breasts look and feel so that any abnormality in this regard can be detected. According to the above report, it is very important to get regular breast cancer screening tests done as mammograms are not completely safe in terms of detection.
Some preventive measures can also be taken by making lifestyle changes listed by the Mayo Clinic. These include limiting alcohol intake, staying away from smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, enjoying an active lifestyle, breastfeeding if you are a mother, and keeping hormone therapy to a minimum after menopause. If your family has a history of cancer, consider genetic counseling before a possible diagnosis in the future.
We wish Hina a complete recovery.
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