Health and wellness influencer Juanita Lira Eguiguren has tragically died of breast cancer aged just 30. She was first diagnosed with the disease in 2015 when she was just 22 years old. Breast cancer in females is the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality. In India, it accounts for 13.5 per cent new cancer cases and 10 per cent of cancer-related deaths. In 2022, a total of 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer and there were a total of 670,000 deaths globally.

The Chilean influencer found out she had breast cancer days before she was due to travel to Barcelona, Spain, to study design. At that time, she explained that she had to cancel the trip and drastically change all her plans. "I had to face the disease and focus all my energy on getting better. I had surgery, radiotherapy, and after three months there were supposed to be no more tumour cells in my body.”

Believing she was in recovery, Lira was able to finish her studies. She also got married.

She underwent another biopsy in 2017 and doctors told her that her breast cancer had returned. However, this time it had already spread to her lungs, lymph nodes and sternum.

For every woman, it is important to know about breast cancer and take tests from time to time. Times Now Digital spoke to Dr Tirathram Kaushik, Consultant Oncosurgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, in order to decode the disease better.

When should you get tested for Breast Cancer?

While speaking to us, he said, "It is crucial to schedule regular screening for breast cancer. This helps in the early detection of the condition, minimizes the damage caused, and positive treatment outcomes. Women over the age of 40 should consider getting a mammogram, a type of x-ray to closely examine breast for early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer."

Symptoms to look out for

One can experience several symptoms associated with breast cancer, as it starts to progress. This includes symptoms like the formation of a new lump in the armpit, and breast, changes in the shape, color, and texture of the nipples, experiencing intense pain in the breast, blood-like discharge from the nipples, and breast skin becoming irritated, sensitive, and flaky.