How to deal with breast health during COVID-19? Experts answer

The world is facing a tough time. At times like the COVID-19 pandemic, health has taken a backseat. While a few people manage to work out to keep fit physically, most others have been dealing with the stress of basic survival.

During such a time, breast health is the last thing on people's minds. Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist and Obstetrician and IVF Expert at Nurture IVF Centre, talks to DNA exclusively about why it should actually not be.

"The knowledge of what's normal and what's not. Is really important to keep your breast healthy irrespective of your age. Breast self-exam and regular check-ups can help you monitor and examine the changes in breast or any problem over time. Just like every other part of your body, find out changes in breast at different stages of life," she shares.

Dr Archana further explains why the symptoms must not be ignored, one of which is possibility of developing breast cancer. She elaborates, "One must take an expert consultation if any of these symptoms are noticed – A lump never seen before, Inverted nipple, nipple discharge other than breast milk, swelling around your breast, collarbone, or armpit, dry, cracked, itching, redness, or thickened skin in the part of breast. It is crucial for a woman's health to keep a track of any significant changes in breast and undergo mammography to rule out the possibility of breast cancer."

According to a survey, COVID-19 pushed breast health to low priority. One in three women reported that they've deployed annual mammogram due to COVID fear. Increase anxiety was also reported during mammograms, and thus, it is advisable to not delay the consultation.

"Being diagnosed with breast cancer doesn't directly increase your risk of serious complications. It is advisable to not delay the required treatment due to COVID fear. In case the suspicion for symptoms exists the diagnosis is recommended as the breast cancer can grow at a varying pace," she notes.

Further answering about the kind of treatments a person could go for, she shares, "Extra-care should be taken by the breast cancer patients amidst the pandemic. Treatments like chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy affect the immune system and make them immunocompromised. They could be more prone to lung infection and in case infected by the virus, breast cancer patients can face a life-threatening health condition."

"Depending upon the severity and stages, one should decide for a video-consultancy or hospital visit. Hospitals are adopting all safeguards and trying to limit appointments and shortening the hospital visits," the doctor signs off.