Dr. Kanchana Wijesinghe, Consultant Surgeon at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, has stated that approximately 6,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in Sri Lanka each year, with an average of around 15 new cases and three deaths reported daily.
She made these remarks today (30) while participating in the Ada Derana ‘BIG FOCUS’ programme, during which she discussed the importance of early detection of breast cancer and raising public awareness of the disease.
Dr. Wijesinghe noted that being female and increasing age are the two primary non-modifiable risk factors for breast cancer. However, she explained that modifiable factors, including obesity, physical inactivity, smoking and the consumption of food containing harmful chemicals, may also contribute to an increased risk of developing cancer.
She observed that these risk factors are increasingly prevalent in society.
The main symptoms of breast cancer include:
• A lump in the breast, although approximately 99% of breast lumps are non-cancerous.
• Lumps developing in the armpit.
• Changes in breast size.
• Skin changes, including swelling or the inward pulling of the skin.
• Bloody discharge from the nipple.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nalinda Munasinghe, Surgeon at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, stated that although awareness of breast cancer is relatively high among women in Sri Lanka, many hesitate to seek medical treatment due to societal myths and fears.
“Because of the fears and myths prevalent in society, people are reluctant to seek treatment. Some fear hair loss, losing a breast through surgery or losing their femininity. Others believe that the disease will repeatedly return. Some also resort to unverified testing methods. As a result, certain women delay seeking medical attention until the disease may have already spread throughout the body,” he said.
However, medical specialists emphasise that breast cancer can be successfully managed when detected early and treated promptly under medical supervision.
