Breast Cancer Facts:
What You Should Know About Breast Cancer
Who gets breast cancer?
A woman can develop breast cancer any time during her adult life - even as early
as in her early twenties. One out of fifteen women will develop the disease at
some stage during her lifetime. The risk of developing breast cancer increases
with age.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is not necessarily restricted to a lump in the breast when diagnosed,
although that is generally the first sign of disease. As a matter of fact, it is not
the lump itself that kills but rather the spreading of cancerous cells to other parts
of the body, a phenomenon known as metastasis.
Is Breast cancer - a death sentence?
Breast cancer is a collection of diseases. Some cases are more aggressive than the
others. The type and course that the disease takes varies from patient to patient
comparable to the variation that exists in fingerprints. In other words, the
diagnosis of breast cancer is not a death sentence, but will have a different impact
on the lives of individual patients. There are breast cancer patients who never
have recurrence of their disease while others live their disease with minimal
treatment for many years - even decades.
How is breast cancer treated?
There are three main arms of treatment:
surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy (which can include hormonal therapy).
Surgery and radiotherapy are local treatments, while chemotherapy is systemic,
being administered via the bloodstream or digestive tract. In most cases a
combination of treatments will be applied.
Does a patient need to lose her breast/s?
NO. It has been proven in large overseas studies that a mastectomy (removal of the
breast) offers no survival benefit, when compared with treatment that removes
only the lump. Small lumps can be removed with excellent cosmetic results. This
approach results in far less mutilation and emotional distress for the individual.
With advances in chemotherapy, hormonal and gene therapy, it is rarely necessary
to perform a mastectomy. A mastectomy should not be offered as first treatment.
Its application is restricted to very specific cases.
What if the lump is too big?
There is a strong possibility that some cancer cells have already found their way
via the blood stream to other parts of the body (bone, lung or liver). These cancer
cells that went astray (micro-metastasis) cannot always be detected with the
available tests such as x-rays and scans. With a large tumour there is more than a
70% chance of micro-metastasis. Systemic treatment (chemotherapy ± hormonal
therapy) should then be administered to shrink the tumour and at the same time
kill the cells outside the boundaries of the breast. If the tumour has shrunk
sufficiently, it can be removed with good cosmetic results - resulting in far less
trauma and mutilation for the patient.
Mammograms
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is a low-dose breast X-ray that can detect cancer in the breast even
before a lump is felt. It is currently the best method of detection.
How is a mammogram done?
When a woman has a mammogram, she stands next to the x-ray machine and a
radiologist helps to place her breast between two compression plates (plastic
trays) which flatten the breast while the X-ray is taken. The plates are used to
compress the breast to a thickness of about 4-6cm. More compression requires less
radiation and the better the image produced. It may be a little uncomfortable for
a while, but the procedure is well worth it.
Who should have a mammogram?
For woman over 50 a mammogram should be done every 1 - 2 years (European
recommendation). The American Cancer Association recommends yearly
mammograms from the age of 40.
Breast Clinics
What is the purpose of a breast clinic?
The breast clinic offers a team approach to breast cancer treatment. Surgeons and
oncologists combine their expertise to decide on individualised treatment for every
patient, with the skills of the pathologist, radiotherapist, radiologist and plastic
surgeon at their disposal. All factors predicting the course of a patient's disease
are taken into account to ensure optimal treatment.
Who should go to the breast clinic?
· Anyone with a mammogram showing signs of malignancy.
· Anyone with family afflicted by cancer
- prevention therapy is becoming a very important aspect of medicine.
· Anyone with a history of breast lumps that persist, are painful or cause
concern
Monthly Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
What is a Breast Self-Examination (BSE)?
Breast self-examination is a procedure performed by an individual to physically and
visually examine herself for any changes in the breasts and underarm areas of the
body. It has not shown that BSE alone can accurately determine the presence of
breast cancer. Therefore, BSE should not be used in place of, but in addition to,
clinical breast examination and mammography.
When should Breast Self-Examination (BSE) be done?
By doing BSE regularly, you get to know how your breasts normally feel so that you
are more apt to detect any change. Women should begin practicing breast selfexamination by age 20 and continue the practice throughout their lives – even
during pregnancy and after menopause. Breast self-examination (BSE) should be
performed every month. Become familiar with how your breasts usually look and
feel so that you may notice any change from what is normal for you.
If you still menstruate, the best time to do BSE is several days, or about a
week, after you period ends. These are the days when your breasts are least
likely to be tender or swollen.
If you no longer menstruate, pick a certain day - such as the first day of each
month - to remind yourself to do BSE.
If you are taking hormones, talk with your physician about when to do BSE.
Monthly Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
In the shower
While taking a shower (or bath), explore the
breast and underarm areas with your fingertips.
Raise one arm and place your hand at the back of
your head.
Slowly and methodically, move the pads of your
fingertips over the breast in a circular pattern.
Don't forget to feel the armpit area.
Repeat on the other breast with your opposite hand.
Before a mirror
Raise your arms above your head to check for
changes in size, shape and contour of each breast.
Look for puckering, dimpling or changes in skin
texture.
Gently squeeze both nipples and look for discharge.
Lying down
Lie down with your arm tucked behind your head.
With the other hand and with your fingers
flattened, feel the opposite breast.
Illustration
This illustration shows you how to check each breast.
Begin at point A and follow the arrows, feeling for a lump or
thickening. Remember to feel all parts of each breast.
Most lumps are not cancerous, but if you find one,
you should get it checked by a doctor immediately.
Underarm area
Begin in the underarm area and move your fingers
down until they are below the breast.
Move your fingers in toward the centre and go slowly
back up.
Cover the whole area, going up and down.
With your arm resting on a firm surface, use the
same motion to examine the underarm area. This is
breast tissue, too.
Warning Signs For Breast Cancer
A lump in the breast
or armpit
An unusual swelling in
the armpit
A puckering of the skin
of the breast
An unusual increase in
the size of one breast
A new dimpling
of the nipple
One breast unusually
lower than the other.
Nipples at different levels
A change in the skin
around the nipple
An enlargement of
the glands
Changes to be aware of:
Check with your physician or contact your nearest breast clinic, if you find any
change in your breast(s) that causes you concern.
Changes in your breasts may include:
•
development of a lump
•
a discharge other than breast milk
•
swelling of the breast
•
skin irritation or dimpling
•
nipple abnormalities (i.e., pain, redness, scaliness, turning
inward)
What causes Breast Cancer?
There are important factors that may place you at risk.
Risk factors:
•
•
being over the age of 50
if your mother or sister had breast cancer, especially if it developed
before menopause
•
•
•
•
if you have never had a child or had your first child after the age of 30
early menstruation - before your teens
late menopause - after the age of 50
long-term hormone replacement therapy
Your lifestyle may also play a very important role
Take note of the following risk factors:
•
•
•
•
•
a diet high in animal fats
alcohol consumption - more than 2 drinks per day
smoking
overweight
low physical activity
Know the Risk factors
•
Unfortunately, woman cannot control many of the factors that place them
at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Help put the odds in your
favour by keeping to a regular screening schedule, watching for changes in
your breasts and taking good care of yourself.