Hina Khan has been battling breast most cancers with an indomitable spirit. Whereas being extremely grateful to the pool of medical doctors and supporters, she just lately opened up in regards to the first time she felt a lump in her breast, calling it “not a really good feeling”. “I don’t assume I’ve spoken about it. That is the primary time I’m talking to you all and letting you realize. Do you guys understand how I discovered that I’ve most cancers? Scans, assessments, medical doctors, oncologists…these got here later. I feel a decade again, my gynaecologist had taught me the best way to self-examine,” stated Hina on the Healthcare Heroes Summit & Awards 2025.
The video snippet, which has been trending, reveals the Kasautii Zindagii Kay actor admitting that she adopted the follow “religiously,” which saved her from looking for medical care on the final stage.
“Yearly, I used to get scanned. I used to self-examine each 15 days. I’d not have discovered as a result of I had no signs. I had no ache. I had nothing in any respect. Agar essential woh self-examination nahi karti, toh shaayad essential stage 3 se stage 4 par pahuch jaati. Final stage par pahuch jaati and kisi ko pata bhi nahi chalta kyunki mujh khud pata nahi chalta. Mujhe khud koi thought nahi tha ki mere saath kuch ho raha hai as a result of I had no signs. (If I had not self-examined, I’d have reached the final stage and no person would have recognized as a result of I personally wouldn’t have recognized as a result of I had no signs). So, on one such event, I may really feel a lump. That was not a really good feeling. I felt this was off. I used to be like, What is that this?”
That is why a self-breast examination is critical (Picture: Getty Photos/Thinkstock)
Let’s perceive the significance of self-breast examination to scale back breast most cancers threat.
Dr Tanveer Aujla, senior marketing consultant, obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Noida, known as self-breast examination a “easy technique to detect breast most cancers”. “On this technique, the people are suggested to verify their breasts commonly and search for any uncommon change or lumps that may be a sign of breast most cancers. It’s best to do it as soon as a month. Girls may carry out breast examination a couple of days after their interval ends, when the breasts are much less tender,” stated Dr Aujla.
Girls who carry out common self-exams usually discover any new lump or uncommon change early, whilst small as 2.5 cm in dimension, famous Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, director, surgical oncology, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
“If a suspicious change is discovered, it may be reported to a physician instantly for additional analysis. This behavior will increase consciousness and empowers ladies to take cost of their well being. When mixed with medical breast exams by a healthcare employee each 6 months or yearly, and screening instruments like mammography or ultrasound, the probabilities of detecting breast most cancers at a really early, non-palpable stage enhance dramatically. Early detection by way of such layered screening can result in survival charges as excessive as 80–90 per cent,” emphasised Dr Malhotra.
How is it accomplished?
Stand proper in entrance of the mirror and search for modifications within the dimension, form, or pores and skin of the breast. “Be sure that you stand straight. Then, gently really feel every breast with the other hand. Additionally, don’t forget to cowl the armpit space too. You possibly can carry out breast self-examination whereas mendacity down or whereas standing, akin to in the course of the bathe,” stated Dr Aujla.
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Some ladies discover it simpler to really feel the breast when the pores and skin is moist. There is no such thing as a inflexible rule—what issues is consistency and consciousness, stated Dr Malhotra.
The first goal of performing this check is to determine thickened areas, uncommon discharge from the nipples, or lumps. “The purpose is to not diagnose however to turn out to be conversant in one’s physique in order that any suspicious improvement is caught early,” stated Dr Malhotra.
Whereas feeling the breasts, one ought to use the palm of their fingers (not poking with fingertips), making use of light to agency stress, methodically overlaying the complete breast — both prime to backside, aspect to aspect, or in a round (clockwise or anti-clockwise) movement, apprised Dr Malhotra.
What to notice?
Perceive that self-breast examination approach shouldn’t be a alternative for routine checkups or mammograms, stated Dr Aujla. Dr Malhotra concurred and shared that ladies must also keep in mind that self-examination is simply step one, such that it needs to be adopted by common medical exams and imaging assessments as really useful, “as a result of some cancers will not be felt however can nonetheless be detected by way of mammography”.
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Early detection of breast most cancers can assist save lives. “The remedy turns into more practical and promising whereas bettering the standard of life. If you happen to discover any sort of bizarre signs, then instantly seek the advice of a physician,” suggested Dr Aujla.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.