The delay in diagnosis changes the prognosis, treatment approach, and the cost associated with it, dramatically
By Jame Abraham, M.D, FACP, Cleveland Clinic
Arathi is a 47-year-old, highly successful systems engineer from Mumbai. About six months ago, she noticed some discomfort in her left breast. When she raised her arm above her head to comb her hair, she noticed some skin changes on the left breast. But she chose to ignore that, too. When she developed a constant nagging pain in her lower back she saw her family doctor. He blamed the ailment on simply her bad posture and long hours of work. She was too embarrassed to tell him about the breast changes she had noticed.
Her sister insisted that she see a doctor and she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Unfortunately, the delay in diagnosis changed Arathi's prognosis, treatment approach, and the cost associated with it, dramatically. By just shifting from stage I to stage IV, her estimated survival rate dropped from more than 90 percent to less than 50 percent and the expense increases exponentially.
Lessons for each one of us:
1. Listen to your own body.
2. Discuss all symptoms with your doctor.
3. Your health is more important than your work.
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