The signs we often miss<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMost women know to look for lumps. But breast cancer doesn\u2019t always introduce itself so obviously.
\u201cSometimes the changes are subtler,\u201d says Dr. Meha. \u201cYou might see puckering or dimpling of the skin, or a patch that feels thicker than usual. The skin may even take on an orange-peel-like texture. These are all early signs worth noticing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abnormal nipple discharge or sudden changes in nipple shape or direction can also be warning signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not about checking every day with fear, it’s about simply being in tune with yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not just an \u2018older woman\u2019s disease\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s still a common misconception that breast cancer is an \u201colder woman\u2019s disease.\u201d
To clarify common misconceptions relating to age and breast cancer development Dr. Meha says \u201cGenetics play a big role, if you have a close relative with breast or ovarian cancer, you should consider genetic screening for mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ladies, if you are not sure about your family\u2019s medical history, do not shy away from asking around and get genetic testing done if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lifestyle & how much it really matters <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile there\u2019s no single reason cancer develops, Dr. Meha says lifestyle is a \u201cvery important factor.\u201d
\u201cAlcohol, smoking, stress, poor diet, all of these cause inflammation in the body,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inflammation over a prolonged period of time increases the chances of developing diseases like cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But her focus isn\u2019t on alarm, it\u2019s on agency. She suggests adding antioxidant-rich foods \u201cfruits, vegetables, especially seasonal ones and fibre-rich foods\u201d and incorporating regular exercise.
\u201cMinimum one and a half hours of exercise is required,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bra confusion and what actually matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere\u2019s perhaps no topic more tangled in misinformation than bras and breast cancer.
Dr. Meha clarifies, \u201cWearing a bra should not cause any issues. But if it\u2019s too tight or the wrong size, it can compress the tissue.\u201d
She notes that wearing a wired bra constantly, without breaks, isn\u2019t ideal. \u201cYou should not wear it all the time,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s not meant to be 24×7. Occasional use is fine, but the constant compression is not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, comfort and fit matter more than fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gym days & sports bras<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFor women who work out regularly, Dr. Meha stresses that a sports bra isn\u2019t optional.
\u201cWhen you\u2019re running or jumping, there\u2019s a lot of movement. The sports bra helps control that movement,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s simply to prevent discomfort and support the breast during physical activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Know the Rhythm of Your Body<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHormones affect how our breasts feel and look through the month. Dr. Meha advises women to track those patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBreasts can feel fuller or more tender a week before your period, that\u2019s normal,\u201d she says. \u201cThe best time for a self-exam is the first week after your period, when swelling goes down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consistency is key. If something feels different, see if it stays after your next cycle. Awareness means noticing, not panicking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStress, poor sleep, and unhealthy habits do create inflammation and hormonal imbalance,\u201d says Dr. Meha. Everything in the body is connected. A calm, well-rested body is simply better equipped to fight disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start Early, Stay Steady<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhile mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, self-examination begins much earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSometimes the changes are subtler,\u201d says Dr. Meha. \u201cYou might see puckering or dimpling of the skin, or a patch that feels thicker than usual. The skin may even take on an orange-peel-like texture. These are all early signs worth noticing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s still a common misconception that breast cancer is an \u201colder woman\u2019s disease.\u201d
To clarify common misconceptions relating to age and breast cancer development Dr. Meha says \u201cGenetics play a big role, if you have a close relative with breast or ovarian cancer, you should consider genetic screening for mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ladies, if you are not sure about your family\u2019s medical history, do not shy away from asking around and get genetic testing done if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lifestyle & how much it really matters <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile there\u2019s no single reason cancer develops, Dr. Meha says lifestyle is a \u201cvery important factor.\u201d
\u201cAlcohol, smoking, stress, poor diet, all of these cause inflammation in the body,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inflammation over a prolonged period of time increases the chances of developing diseases like cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But her focus isn\u2019t on alarm, it\u2019s on agency. She suggests adding antioxidant-rich foods \u201cfruits, vegetables, especially seasonal ones and fibre-rich foods\u201d and incorporating regular exercise.
\u201cMinimum one and a half hours of exercise is required,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bra confusion and what actually matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere\u2019s perhaps no topic more tangled in misinformation than bras and breast cancer.
Dr. Meha clarifies, \u201cWearing a bra should not cause any issues. But if it\u2019s too tight or the wrong size, it can compress the tissue.\u201d
She notes that wearing a wired bra constantly, without breaks, isn\u2019t ideal. \u201cYou should not wear it all the time,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s not meant to be 24×7. Occasional use is fine, but the constant compression is not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, comfort and fit matter more than fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gym days & sports bras<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFor women who work out regularly, Dr. Meha stresses that a sports bra isn\u2019t optional.
\u201cWhen you\u2019re running or jumping, there\u2019s a lot of movement. The sports bra helps control that movement,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s simply to prevent discomfort and support the breast during physical activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Know the Rhythm of Your Body<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHormones affect how our breasts feel and look through the month. Dr. Meha advises women to track those patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBreasts can feel fuller or more tender a week before your period, that\u2019s normal,\u201d she says. \u201cThe best time for a self-exam is the first week after your period, when swelling goes down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consistency is key. If something feels different, see if it stays after your next cycle. Awareness means noticing, not panicking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStress, poor sleep, and unhealthy habits do create inflammation and hormonal imbalance,\u201d says Dr. Meha. Everything in the body is connected. A calm, well-rested body is simply better equipped to fight disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start Early, Stay Steady<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhile mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, self-examination begins much earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlcohol, smoking, stress, poor diet, all of these cause inflammation in the body,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMinimum one and a half hours of exercise is required,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s perhaps no topic more tangled in misinformation than bras and breast cancer.
Dr. Meha clarifies, \u201cWearing a bra should not cause any issues. But if it\u2019s too tight or the wrong size, it can compress the tissue.\u201d
She notes that wearing a wired bra constantly, without breaks, isn\u2019t ideal. \u201cYou should not wear it all the time,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s not meant to be 24×7. Occasional use is fine, but the constant compression is not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, comfort and fit matter more than fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gym days & sports bras<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFor women who work out regularly, Dr. Meha stresses that a sports bra isn\u2019t optional.
\u201cWhen you\u2019re running or jumping, there\u2019s a lot of movement. The sports bra helps control that movement,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s simply to prevent discomfort and support the breast during physical activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Know the Rhythm of Your Body<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHormones affect how our breasts feel and look through the month. Dr. Meha advises women to track those patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBreasts can feel fuller or more tender a week before your period, that\u2019s normal,\u201d she says. \u201cThe best time for a self-exam is the first week after your period, when swelling goes down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consistency is key. If something feels different, see if it stays after your next cycle. Awareness means noticing, not panicking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStress, poor sleep, and unhealthy habits do create inflammation and hormonal imbalance,\u201d says Dr. Meha. Everything in the body is connected. A calm, well-rested body is simply better equipped to fight disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start Early, Stay Steady<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhile mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, self-examination begins much earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re running or jumping, there\u2019s a lot of movement. The sports bra helps control that movement,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s simply to prevent discomfort and support the breast during physical activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hormones affect how our breasts feel and look through the month. Dr. Meha advises women to track those patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBreasts can feel fuller or more tender a week before your period, that\u2019s normal,\u201d she says. \u201cThe best time for a self-exam is the first week after your period, when swelling goes down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consistency is key. If something feels different, see if it stays after your next cycle. Awareness means noticing, not panicking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStress, poor sleep, and unhealthy habits do create inflammation and hormonal imbalance,\u201d says Dr. Meha. Everything in the body is connected. A calm, well-rested body is simply better equipped to fight disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n