PANAJI
Leading oncology consultant Dr Shekhar Salkar has expressed concern over the rising number of breast cancer cases in Goa.
Pointing out that around 20 per cent of all cancer cases in Goa are breast cancers, Dr Salkar has urged Goans to get a baseline mammography after the age of 40 onwards to increase the chances of early detection. He has also stressed on the need for monthly self-examination.
In a statement, Dr Salkar disclosed that approximately 1,300 to 1,500 cases of cancer are detected in Goa annually, of which almost 20 per cent or 250 to 300 are breast cancer cases.
He informed that most patients suffering from breast cancer in Goa are between the age of 30 to 50 years. He sought to highlight that the survival rate is highest in Stage I of breast cancer, almost 95 per cent. This reduces to 80 per cent in Stage 2 and to 50 to 60 per cent in Stage 3. The survival rate is least for the patients in Stage 4 of breast cancer, mere 10 per cent.
"Early detection saves lives, saves the organ and results in the least treatment cost. Early detection is the best for breast cancer," said Dr Salkar.
