Doordarshan's Anchor Neelam Sharma Passes Away Battling Cancer!

Veteran anchor and a popular face of Doordarshan News, Neelam Sharma passed away on August 17 at the age of 50. Sharma had been associated with the News Channel for over two decades and had played a stellar role in many capacities. From ‘Tejasvini’ to ‘Badi Charcha’, her pioneering programs have won her many accolades. In March, Sharma was honoured with the Nari Shakti Award by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. 

Reportedly, the DD News anchor was diagnosed with end-stage breast cancer only a month before. 

Breast Cancer – All you need to know.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer observed in women and a primary cause of death after lung cancer. Typically, cancer occurs in the ducts or lobules of the breasts. Lobules are the glands, which produce milk while the ducts carry the milk to the nipples from the glands. Cancer may also develop in the fatty tissues within the breasts. Often, the unrestrained cancer cells invade the healthy tissues and spread to the lymph nodes right beneath the arms, which in turn, triggers cancer to move aggressively to other parts of the body.

Causes of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer occurs when the cells in your breasts begin to grow abnormally. They divide rapidly and continue to accumulate to form a mass or a lump. Researchers are yet to find out what exactly causes the breast cells to turn cancerous. However, a number of environmental and lifestyle factors can potentially increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer.

Risk factors include –

• Age – the chances of getting breast cancer increase with age

• Gender – females are more likely to develop this type of cancer

• A family history of breast cancer

• Genetic mutation of  BRCA1 and BRCA2

• Obesity

• Exposure to radiation

• Late pregnancy

• Postmenopausal hormonal therapy

• Alcohol consumption

• Smoking

Symptoms to Watch Out for

Breast cancer may not reveal any symptoms in its early stage. The tumour may be too small to be felt. It is only in the later stages that a person suffering from this type of cancer experiences the following symptoms –

• Pain in the breasts or the armpits that do not change with the monthly cycle

• Redness or pitting of the skin of the breasts – like that of an orange

• Rashes surrounding the nipples

• Bloody discharge from the nipples 

• An inverted or a sunken nipple

• Change in the shape or size of the breasts

• Flaking, scaling or peeling of skin on the nipple or the breasts

The symptoms may vary depending on the stage of cancer. You must keep an eye out for the ‘warning signs’ and seek medical intervention as early as possible to cure the disease.

Prevention -

There is no sure way to prevent the onset of breast cancer. However, certain lifestyle changes may help reduce the risks of cancer. These mainly include –

• Avoiding excess consumption of alcohol

• Following a healthful diet with lots of green vegetables and fresh fruits

• Exercising more often  to keep yourself fit and keep body weight in check

• Maintaining a healthy BMI to avoid the risk of obesity

While these preventive measures can lower your chances of getting breast cancer, proper treatment is necessary to get the condition cured. Early diagnosis and treatment have shown positive outcomes and higher survival rates in patients. Therefore, consult a doctor immediately if you notice the above symptoms.