Lucknow: As a woman, the greatest inspiration for Dr. Farah Arshad, a renowned breast surgeon at Max Hospital, was her own mother. A gynecologist by profession, Dr. Arshad’s mother introduced her to hospital life at a very young age. Accompanying her mother on ambulance calls, she gained a firsthand view of the medical world and the relentless dedication of healthcare professionals. With two younger brothers, her mother ensured that she was never left alone, which deepened her understanding of the medical field and its challenges.
Despite early exposure to gynecology, Dr. Arshad decided not to follow in her mother’s footsteps. However, her interest in medicine led her to pursue an MBBS at Aligarh in 1992, followed by an internship where she developed a keen interest in surgery. Observing the growing need and shortage of female surgeons in so many surgical ailments of females, highlighting a stark gender gap in surgicalfields she was drawn towards this specialization of breast surgery. In her early days, only two to three women doctors were available for nearly 200 to 300 female patients, highlighting a stark gender gap in surgical fields.
Reflecting on her initial years, Dr. Arshad recalls moments of helplessness but also immense passion that fueled her determination. She saw surgery as a field where she could make a meaningful impact while balancing family life, as it did not involve night shifts. Her journey took a significant turn when her husband, a doctor from SGPGI, introduced her to the possibilities in endocrine and breast surgery. She completed three years of speciality training from SGPGI Lucknow in field of endocrine and breast surgery. She also did her fellowship in breast surgery from Singapore and after working briefly at Era’s Medical College she joined Sahara Hospital as Breast Surgoen.
With over 18 years of experience, Dr. Arshad has performed numerous surgeries, averaging 30 to 40 breast surgeries per month. Her expertise covers cancerous, benign, autoimmune, and infectious breast conditions. She firmly believes that breast cancer awareness programs are crucial, as many patients arrive in advanced stages, limiting treatment options. To address this, she and her team conduct awareness camps in schools and women’s colleges, teaching self-examination techniques to detect early signs of abnormalities.
Dr. Arshad warns that breast cancer cases are rising at an alarming rate, predicting that every one in seven to eight women may be at risk of breast cancer. She attributes this surge to factors such as food adulteration, pesticide exposure, alcohol consumption, smoking, delayed breastfeeding, microplastic pollution, and overall lifestyle changes due to westernization. She criticizes the widespread use of plastic food containers in food delivery services which contribute to toxic exposure.
Her recommendations for breast cancer prevention include early marriage and timely childbirth, regular breastfeeding, self-examinations starting at age 18, and annual clinical breast exams post-40. She strongly advises against relying on home remedies, emphasizing the importance of mammograms, biopsies, and ultrasounds for accurate diagnosis.
Dr. Arshad’s biggest challenge in the surgical field was entering a male-dominated profession. Despite societal discouragement, her mother’s unwavering support helped her push forward. With a supportive family and husband, she overcame obstacles and now leads in her field. In her General Surgery training she was taken aback by Emergency cases like trauma, burn etc. She kept her focus, passion with positive outlook for specializing in Breast Surgery and it made all the difference.
Discussing the growing burden of cancer in India, she states that breast cancer has surpassed cervical cancer as the leading concern among women. Other common health issues include diabetes, hypertension, obesity, thyroid disorders, joint problems, depression, and vitamin deficiencies. She urges women to prioritize their health, seek timely medical advice, and engage in regular check-ups.
As a message to women, Dr. Arshad advocates financial independence and self-care beyond family responsibilities. She encourages maintaining an active lifestyle, checking calcium and vitamin D levels, taking prescribed medications, and building a strong support network. She emphasizes that having a job and a social life contributes to overall well-being.
For aspiring medical professionals, Dr. Arshad underscores the nobility of the profession, urging them to remain passionate, ethical, and committed to their chosen path. “Do what you love and love what you do,” she says, adding that while progress may be slow, success is inevitable. Above all, she stresses that ethics should never be compromised in the pursuit of excellence in medicine.
