LET US FIGHT BREAST CANCER TOGETHER
December 23rd, 2008WHY TALK ABOUT BREAST CANCER
- Most common cancer in women in Pakistan 1 in 8-10 chance
- Second leading cause of cancer related deaths among women
- Inspite of the fact that It is one of the few cancers ,about which we know that an early diagnosis means that complete treatment may be possible
RISK FACTORS
- Personal history - age, early menarche , late menopause, history of BBD
- Lifestyle i.e. alcohol intake, being overweight,
- A personal history of breast cancer
- Extremely dense breasts or unevenly dense breasts when viewed by mammograms
- A known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
- Have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, and have not had genetic testing themselves
- Never going to your doctor and not knowing/caring
A HEALTHY DIET CAN REDUCE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING BREAST CANCER
- Increase your consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Increase consumption of organic whole grains and fiber
- Decrease meat, poultry and fish consumption
- Increase consumption of phytoestrogens from organic sources
- Decrease or stop consumption of processed foods
- Avoid trans-fatty acids found in margarine
BEST PROTECTION STRATEGY
- Be aware of your risk
- Regular wellness visits to your doctor
- Clinical breast examination
- Breast self examination
- Mammograms
EARLY SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER
- Breast lump ,(most common)
- Discharge from the nipple
- Breast pain or tenderness (in around 15% of cases)
- Change in breast shape or size
- Dimpling, flaking or thickening of the skin on the breast
- Peau d’orange
- Nipple inversion or rash
- Swelling of the upper arm or in the armpit
BREAST SELF EXAMINATION
The most effective way to fight breast cancer is to detect it early. A breast self-exam may help, although the most effective tools to detect breast cancer are mammography and clinical breast exam by your health professional. In fact, women who perform regular breast self-exams find 90% of all breast masses.
What Is a Breast Self-Exam and Why Should I Do It?
The breast self-exam is a way that you can check your breasts for changes (such as lumps or thickenings) that may signal breast cancer. When breast cancer is detected in its early stages, your chances for surviving the disease are greatly improved. While 80% of all breast lumps are not cancerous, you can help catch potentially serious changes in the breast early by regularly performing a self-exam
ALARMING SIGNS TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY
- In case of any of the following ,
- An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast
- A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle
- A change in the size, shape or contour of the breast
- A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea
- A marble-like area under the skin
- A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed)
- Bloody or clear fluid discharge from the nipples
- Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple
American Cancer Society recommendations for early breast cancer detection Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.
MAMMOGRAM
- 80 to 90% pick up rate
- Yearly after 40
- Can detect <1cm lesion
- Proven benefit
- Significant reduction in deaths
- Mild discomfort
- The best available method to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage— an average of 1 to 4 years before a lump can be felt by the patient
