Pink October: Creating Awareness Around Breast Cancer

October as we know is breast cancer awareness month .
There’s a good chance that we all know one person who has been personally affected by breast cancer
and this is why it is important we talk about it.

What exactly is breast cancer??

Breast cancer is a disease in which the breast cells become abnormal , grow uncontrollably and form tumours. These tumours can further spread to other parts of the body and become fatal. The process where it spreads is called metastasis.

Breast cancer develops from either the glands which produce milk (called lobular carcinoma) or the ducts that carry milk to the nipples ( called ductal carcinoma).

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide , both in developed and developing countries.
The good news is when it’s detected early, there’s a high rate of survival.

Let’s start with the common misconceptions about Breast cancer
        ⁃       All lumps are cancerous – Not all lumps are cancerous  , many are benign (such as fibroadenomas) . This is why it is important to consult with a doctor when you notice any lump in your breast.
        ⁃       Breast cancer affects only older women- Although it is more common in older women , it also affect younger women. It is essential for every woman to be aware of symptoms of breast cancer and also learn how to do a self examination.
        ⁃       Breast pain equals breast cancer – There are numerous causes of breast pain ranging from hormonal changes , muscular to cystic causes. Breast pain is not always an indicator of breast cancer . If you experience unusual breast pain, kindly consult your doctor.
        ⁃       You can only be at risk of breast cancer if there is a family history – It is true that having a family history can increase your risk of having it. However, people with no family history can still be diagnosed of breast cancer.
        ⁃       Only women get breast cancer – Although very rare , men can also get breast cancer (less than 1% of breast cancer cases)

Now that we know the misconceptions, what are  the risk factors of breast cancer ?
        ⁃       Female gender( strongest risk factor)
        ⁃       Increasing age
        ⁃       Family history of breast cancer and gene mutations
        ⁃       Reproductive factors: early onset of menstruation( before age 12 ) and late menopause(after age 55)
        ⁃       Hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives
        ⁃       Exposure to radiation
        ⁃       Lifestyle factors: Obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

Now here are the changes to look out for :
        ⁃       Lump in the breast or underarm
        ⁃       Changes in the size, shape or appearance of the breast
        ⁃       Breast skin changes( dimpling, redness, pitting)
        ⁃       Changes to the nipple or areola
        ⁃       Abnormal or bloody discharge from the nipples
        ⁃       Breast pain

So what do we need to do ? We need to get SCREENED!!!

Breast cancer screening involves different methods to detect breast cancer .

        1.      Breast self examination: This involves checking one’s breast for any changes , lumps or abnormalities. It is usually recommended for females to learn how to do this as it can be done in less than a minute and in the comfort of your home.
        2.      Clinical breast examination : This is done by the healthcare professionals and they assess for lumps or other changes.
        3.      Breast ultrasound: This is recommended for females younger than 40years and is used to check for breasts for cysts, lumps or other abnormalities.
        4.      Mammogram : This is the gold standard of breast cancer screening and it is usually done for women above 40years. Mammogram can detect tiny changes in the breast before they are felt.
        5.      Breast MRI : This is usually done in women with a high risk of breast cancer and usually in combination with a mammogram.
        6.      Biopsy : This is a medical procedure that  involves removing a small sample of breast tissue for examination under a microscope to detect cancer cells.

What happens after breast cancer is diagnosed ?
Treatment of breast cancer is usually dependent on different factors such as the type and stage of the cancer.
This includes:
        ⁃       Surgery
        ⁃       Radiotherapy
        ⁃       Chemotherapy
        ⁃       Hormonal therapy
In most cases , a combination of the above methods would be done .

N.B: I guess it’s safe to assume we know “why we wear pink in October” , “what to look out for”, “how to check” and “what is to be done after” because truly, early detection saves lives.

thewyreng