Filmmaker and writer Tahira Kashyap shared on Instagram that her breast cancer has come back.
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life becomes too generous and throws them again at you, you squeeze them calmly into your favourite kala khatta drink,” she wrote. “Round 2 for me I still got it.”
She talked about how important regular health check-ups are.
“Seven year itch or the power of regular screening – it’s a perspective. I’d like to go with the latter and suggest the same for everyone who needs to get regular mammograms,” she added.
Why Breast Cancer Can Come Back
Breast cancer happens when unusual cells grow too much in parts of the breast, like the milk ducts or lobules. If not treated early, these cells can spread and form lumps or thick areas in the breast.
How Recurrence Happens
Dr. Gagan Saini, Vice Chairman of Radiation Oncology at Yashoda Medicity, explains:
“Breast cancer can recur when some cancer cells manage to survive despite treatment with radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy. This is more likely when the tumor is already advanced at the time of diagnosis. Tumors that grow over time have more opportunity to develop genetic changes that help them resist standard treatments. This is why early detection improves the chances of a cure.”
What Increases the Risk of Cancer Coming Back
Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Senior Oncologist at CK Birla Hospital, says that cancer coming back depends on many things:
“The type of cancer, whether hormone-positive, HER2-positive, or triple-negative, and the stage at which it was first diagnosed are crucial. Late-stage cancers, or those that spread to lymph nodes, carry a higher risk of recurrence,” he said.
Other Factors That Can Increase the Risk of Cancer Coming Back
Some health problems like diabetes, habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol, and even genetic changes can raise the chance of breast cancer coming back. If the treatment wasn’t completed properly or if a person has a weak immune system, the risk can be even higher.
Why Regular Follow-Up is Important
Dr. Malhotra said that after the first treatment, patients need to follow a strict check-up schedule.
“For the first two years, scans like mammograms or PET scans are typically done every three months, and then after six months and then annually after the third year.”
Self-Check and Lifestyle Changes
“Patients should also practise monthly self-breast exams and make some lifestyle changes as recommended by a healthcare professional,” he added.
These lifestyle changes include:
- Eating healthy foods with antioxidants
- Avoiding sugar, smoking, and alcohol
- Keeping a healthy weight
- Managing stress
New Tests for High-Risk Patients
For people at high risk, new tests like liquid biopsy are being used. This test checks for cancer cells or DNA in the blood. It can help find cancer early if it comes back, but it is not yet a standard test for everyone.
Why Regular Mammograms Are Important
Mammograms are one of the best ways to find breast cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.
In India, most breast cancer cases are found in women who are 45 years or older. That’s why yearly mammograms are advised from age 45 to around 60–65. After that, women can have a scan every 2 to 3 years until about 75–80 years old, based on their health.
If a woman has dense breast tissue or doctors find something unusual, an ultrasound may be done along with the mammogram.
Women in their 20s and 30s are also encouraged to check their breasts every month on their own. If they are at high risk, they may need ultrasound-based tests too.
“Once treated, every person should get their necessary scans 3 to 6 months. The frequency and type of scans depend on the initial stage of the cancer, which often reflects how aggressive the disease is,” said Dr. Saini.
Breast Cancer in India: A Serious and Growing Problem
All over the world, breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 20 women may get breast cancer at some point in their life.
If things keep going the same way, there could be 3.2 million new cases of breast cancer each year by 2050, and more than 1.1 million women may die from it every year.
In India, breast cancer is now the most common cancer in women. India is third in the world for total cancer cases, after China and the United States, and causes more than 10% of all cancer deaths worldwide.
A report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that only 66 out of 100 women in India live for at least five years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. This number is lower than in many other countries, mainly because the cancer is often found too late and many people don’t get the right treatment on time.
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