Top Breast Cancer Hospital in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad

Early Detection is the Best Defense Against Breast Cancer

If you feel a lump in the breast or any other changes in your breast, you may worry about it being a breast cancer. However, breast lumps are frequent, and in most cases, they are benign (noncancerous), especially in younger women.

Regular screening can catch cancer before symptoms appear.

Start screening at 40

Women with dense breasts or high risk may need an ultrasound or MRI.

Warning signs include:
  • Lump
  • Change in shape
  • Nipple inversion
  • Bloody discharge
  • Skin dimpling
  • Persistent thickening

Every lump should be checked — most aren’t cancer but must be evaluated.

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer begins when certain cells in the breast multiply uncontrollably. These cells may form a lump or a thickened area. Sometimes cancer spreads to the lymph nodes in the underarm, and in advanced stages, it may travel to the liver, lungs, or bones.
However, this process is slow. Most breast cancers start small and can be detected early with screening and awareness.

Risk Factors Every Woman Should Know

1. Age

Risk rises significantly after age 40 and even more after 50.

2. Hormonal Exposure

Early periods, late menopause, first pregnancy after 30, or not breastfeeding increase lifetime hormone exposure.

3. Family History

Having a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer increases risk, especially if diagnosed early.

4. Genetic Mutations

Genes like BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, TP53 raise the chances of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Women with strong family histories should consider genetic counselling.

5. Lifestyle Factors

Overweight after menopause, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, stress, and poor diet all influence risk. The good news these are modifiable.

Types of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is not a single disease. It has different biological types defined through biopsy tests.

  • Hormone-positive (ER/PR positive) – responds very well to hormone-blocking treatments.
  • HER2-positive – aggressive but highly responsive to targeted therapies.
  • Triple-negative breast cancer – lacks ER, PR, and HER2; responds strongly to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Understanding type helps doctors customise the best treatment plan.

Breast Cancer Staging

  • Stage I: Small tumor, confined to breast
  • Stage II: Larger tumor or limited lymph node spread
  • Stage III: Locally advanced
  • Stage IV: Cancer has spread to other organs

Early stages are highly curable with modern therapies.

How Breast Cancer Is Diagnosed

Diagnosis usually includes:

1. Mammogram

Standard test after age 40; detects tiny cancers before any lump is felt.

2. Ultrasound

Useful in women with dense breasts and younger women.

3. MRI

Recommended for high-risk women or unclear findings.

4. Biopsy

The most important test — confirms cancer and identifies its type and markers like ER, PR, and HER2.

Treatment Options for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer treatment is a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.

1. Breast Cancer Surgery

Surgery is often the first step for early-stage cancers.

  • Lumpectomy: Removes only the lump; breast is preserved
  • Mastectomy: Removes the entire breast
  • Sentinel node biopsy: Removes only key lymph nodes
  • Axillary dissection: Needed when many nodes are involved

Here’s a real-life example: At Horizon Cancer Care in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, their breast cancer surgery program emphasises organ-saving techniques and cosmetic outcomes.

2. Radiation Therapy

Radiation is usually given after lumpectomy and sometimes after mastectomy. Modern radiation is highly precise and safe.

3. Chemotherapy

Recommended for aggressive tumors, HER2-positive cancers, triple-negative cancers, and cancers involving lymph nodes.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (before surgery) helps shrink tumors and increases the chances of breast preservation.

4. Targeted Therapy

HER2-positive cancers benefit greatly from medicines like trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and advanced antibody–drug conjugates. These have transformed survival outcomes.

5. Hormone / Endocrine Therapy

Given for hormone-positive cancers for 5–10 years. This simple daily treatment dramatically reduces recurrence.

6. Immunotherapy

Used especially in triple-negative breast cancer to boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

Breast Reconstruction

Many women choose reconstruction to restore breast shape after mastectomy. Options include:

  • Implants
  • Using the woman’s own tissue

This helps restore confidence and emotional well-being.

Hereditary Breast Cancer & Genetics

If there’s a strong family history or early-onset breast/ovarian cancer, genetic counselling and testing (for genes like BRCA1/2) help identify risk. High-risk women may undergo more frequent screening, preventive measures, or even risk-reducing surgery. Many leading breast cancer hospitals in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad (like Horizon) offer hereditary cancer care and genetic testing.

Prevention: What Women Can Do

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Stay physically active
  • Limit alcohol
  • Reduce stress
  • Breastfeed if possible
  • Avoid unnecessary hormone therapy
  • Undergo genetic counselling if a family risk exists

Small changes bring meaningful protection.