October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Knowing it exists is not enough!
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, accounting for more than 1 in 10 new cancer diagnoses each year. It is the second most common cause of death from cancer among women in the world.
Breast cancer always evolves silently. Most of the patients discover their disease during routine screening. Others may present with an accidentally discovered breast lump, change of breast shape or size, or nipple discharge. However, Mastalgia (breast pain) is not uncommon, but can happen 5% of the time. Physical examination, imaging, especially mammography and tissue biopsy must be done to diagnose breast cancer.
The survival rate improves with early diagnosis.
Breast cancer develops due to DNA damage and genetic mutations that can be influenced by exposure to oestrogen. Sometimes there will be an inheritance of DNA defects or pro-cancerous genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2. Thus, the family history of ovarian or breast cancer increases the risk for breast cancer development. In a normal individual, the immune system attacks cells with abnormal DNA or abnormal growth. This fails in those with breast cancer disease leading to tumour growth and spread.
With increased size, the patient may discover cancer as a lump, perhaps during combing or showering. The locally advanced disease may be presented with peau d’orange, frank ulceration, or fixation to the chest wall. Inflammatory breast cancer, an advanced form of breast cancer, frequently resembles breast abscess and presents with swelling, redness, and other local signs of inflammation. Paget disease of the nipple usually presents with nipple changes that must be differentiated from nipple eczema.
Over the past four decades, the survival rates of most breast cancer patients have improved. Of note is that the presence of breast cancer has gradually slowed down over the past decade, which may be due to earlier detection and improved treatments.
Everyone should do a self-examination at home. The symptoms areas follows:
- Change in the size of one or both breasts.
- Change in the shape of one or both breasts, flattening or marble-like area.
- Discoloration of breast tissue or change in skin texture.
- Clear or bloody discharge from the nipple.
- Tenderness of the breast and/or nipple.
- Chafing, or flaking of the breast skin.
- Presence of a breast lump or noticeably denser tissue that is not related to your menstrual cycle.
- Swelling in the armpit.
- Pain or tingling sensation within the breast.
Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older.
Risk Factors You Cannot Change:
- Getting older.The risk for breast cancer increases with age.
- Genetic mutations.Women who have inherited changes (mutations) to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, are at higher risk.
- Reproductive history.Starting menstrual periods before age 12 and starting menopause after age 55 expose women to hormones longer, raising their risk of getting breast cancer.
- Having dense breasts.These have more connective tissue than fatty tissue, which can sometimes make it hard to see tumours on a mammogram.
- Personal history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast diseases.Women who have had breast cancer are likely to get breast cancer a second time. Some non-cancerous breast diseases such as atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ are associated with a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
- Family history of breast or ovarian cancer.A woman’s risk for breast cancer is higher if she has a mother, sister, or daughter (first-degree relative) or multiple family members on either her mother’s or father’s side of the family who have had breast or ovarian cancer. Having a first-degree male relative with breast cancer also raises a woman’s risk.
- Previous treatment using radiation therapy.Women who had radiation therapy to the chest or breasts (for instance, treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma) before age 30 have a higher risk of getting breast cancer later in life.
- Exposure to the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) which was given to some pregnant women in the United States between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage. Women who took DES, or whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
Some women will get breast cancer even without any other risk factors that they know of. Having a risk factor does not mean you will get the disease, and not all risk factors have the same effect. Most women have some risk factors, but most women do not get breast cancer. If you have breast cancer risk factors, talk with your doctor about ways you can lower your risk and about screening for breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a common illness amongst our sisters, but early detection is saving lives.
Let’s not forget about our self-examination at home.
There can be life after breast cancer. The pre-requisite is early detection.
The pink ribbons, marches, and campaigns are all part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a time to celebrate survivors who have had their lives dramatically changed by this disease; it also gives us knowledge on how we can fight back against the devastating aspects that come with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Support the fighters.
Admire the survivors.
Remember the angels.
And NEVER, EVER give up hope.