October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month when attention is drawn to this disease and to how to ensure its early detection and treatment. Early detection gives treatment the best chance of success.
According to the World Health Organisation, 2,3 million cases of breast cancer occur every year. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in most countries.
In Zimbabwe breast cancer is the second commonest cancer affecting women. The commonest is cervical cancer. Although men as well as women can have breast cancer, it is commonest among women.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month features a number of campaigns and programmes conducted by groups ranging from breast cancer advocacy organisations to local community organisations and various service providers.
The aim is to support people diagnosed with breast cancer, including breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, educate people about breast cancer risk factors and stress the importance of regular screening, starting at 40 years of age or an age that is appropriate for your personal breast cancer risk.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many people wear pink ribbons to honour breast cancer survivors, remember those lost to the disease and support the progress that is being made to try to defeat breast cancer.
Causes
Breast cancer originates in your breast tissue. It occurs when breast cells change or mutate and grow out of control, creating a mass of tissue or a tumour. It can also invade and grow into the tissue surrounding your breast.
What causes this to happen is unknown, though factors have been identified that appear to increase the likelihood of breast cancer. Not everyone with these risk factors develops breast cancer. Some women without these risk factors nevertheless develop breast cancer.
It is likely that the cause is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Breast cancer can travel to other parts of your body and form new tumours. When this happens, it is called metastasis.
Risk factors
Breast cancer is commonest in women. The risk increases with age, particularly over the age of 40. A family history of breast cancer is another risk factor.
Never having been pregnant or had a full-term pregnancy or having your first child after the age of 30 are other risk factors. The overall risk of breast cancer is less if you become pregnant at an early age and if you have had several pregnancies. Some studies suggest breastfeeding may lower the risk of breast cancer, particularly if continued for one-and-a-half to two years.
Starting menstrual periods before the age of 12 and experiencing menopause later than usual (after 55 years of age) also increase the risk of breast cancer.
Women with dense breasts are more likely to develop cancer than those with less dense breasts. Breast cancer is harder to detect with a mammogram in women with dense breasts.
Exposure to radiation also leaves you vulnerable. Your risk of breast cancer is increased if you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult.
Being overweight, drinking alcohol and smoking are all risk factors.
Symptoms
One of the first symptoms of breast cancer is a lump in your breast, even if it is just the size of a pea. You may or may not be able to feel it.
Other possible symptoms include a change in your breast’s size, shape or curve. Some women experience a discharge from the nipple that may be bloody or clear. Changes in the skin of your breast or the areola, the darkened area around the nipple, are other possible symptoms. It could be dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed.
Red skin can also appear on your breast or nipple as a symptom. Changes in the shape or position of your nipple, such as an inverted nipple, are other possible signs.
Detection
Regular self-examination of your breasts for lumps or changes in the shape or appearance of your breasts is important, because early detection improves the likelihood of successful treatment. You should know how your breasts normally look and feel, so you can notice any changes. Regularly check your whole breast area, your upper chest and your armpits.
If you feel a lump in your breast or any of the other symptoms of breast cancer, go to see your doctor. If after examining your breasts the doctor believes there is cause for concern, she or he may refer you for a mammogram, which is an X-ray of the breasts.
It is not always possible to detect breast cancer through self-examination, so regular screening by a doctor is advisable, particularly if you are in a high-risk category.
Treatment
The commonest treatment options are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Sometimes, particularly in the advanced stages, surgery may be combined with drug therapies before or after it.
Prevention
Although there is no guaranteed way of preventing cancer, being proactive about your health and making healthy lifestyle choices reduces your risk of it. This includes regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Stay physically active. Exercising or going for a walk for at least 30 minutes a day lowers the risk of breast cancer. It is also one of the best ways to help keep your weight in check.
Stick to a healthy diet. Try to eat a lot of fruits and veggies. Limit your alcohol intake. Do not smoke.
Breastfeed your babies if possible. Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more lowers the risk of breast cancer. It also has great health benefits for the child.
Avoid hormone therapy. Whether oestrogen is taken by itself or combined with progestin, hormones increase the risk of breast cancer. If you do take hormone therapy during menopause, it should be for the shortest time possible.
The information in this article is provided as a public service by the Cimas iGo wellness programme, which is designed to promote good health. It is provided for general information only and should not be construed as medical advice. Readers should consult their doctor or clinic on any matter related to their health or the treatment of any health problem. To contact the iGo team, email igo@cimas.co.zw or WhatsApp 0772 161 829 or phone 024-27730663.
