New Delhi:
In an industry where a lot of importance is attached to physical appearance, Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie's decision to opt for preventive double mastectomy is a bold move. Her choice of going public with her personal decision is even more commendable.
The star of
Mr and Mrs Smith got both her breasts removed after she was diagnosed with a gene that greatly increased her risk of getting breast cancer.
After reading Jolie's article in the
New York Times, Vandana Chawla is reminded of her own struggle. Diagnosed with breast cancer a decade ago, Vandana had mastectomy to get rid of cancer. And though doctors gave her the option of reconstructive surgery, she decided against it.
"The trauma of the surgery and the pain had been so much that I decided that I would much rather wear prosthetic for the rest of my life. And I don't think it harms me or my body image in any way," she said.
Vandana is also seriously considering getting a genetic test done for her daughter. She explains why. "I would definitely like to research some more and perhaps advise my daughter to see if something like this can be done, if she or my other nieces are carrying the gene because I am carrying the gene from my father's side."
Doctors say though oral and cervical cancer patients continue to account for two thirds of all cancer patients in the country, the number of patients with breast cancer is also increasing.
In fact, oncologists say breast cancer affects Indian women in the age group of 40-50, a decade ahead of women in the West.
Senior consultant of surgical oncology at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre Dr. Kapil Kumar says preventive mastectomy, like what Jolie got done, are almost unheard of in India.
"40 out of 1 lakh patients in Delhi have breast cancer. Earlier, we would see people coming in the advanced stages of breast cancer, now with greater awareness, more women are coming in earlier for diagnosis." He adds, "It's not just about the tests, there is a need for genetics and counselling as well where we still have a long way to go."
Though the test to detect how genetically prone a person is to breast cancer is available in India, it is expensive at Rs 50-60,000. Mastectomy can cost upwards of Rs 80,000. And so doctors say prevention still continues to be the best cure.