Breast Cancer

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a form of cancer in which non-typical breast cells grow out of control and form tumours.

Although breast cancer occurs in both men and women, it is more common in women. It is the most common malignant disease in women (25% of all malignant diseases). Most people are diagnosed around the age of 50, and the probability that a woman will get breast cancer in her lifetime is 1 in 8.

Due to early detection, improving understanding of the disease and new approaches to treatment, survival rates have increased.

Symptoms

There are several signs of breast cancer. If you notice the following symptoms, book an appointment with your doctor for an evaluation:

• A lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
• Skin irritation or change in appearance in or around the breast
• A change in the shape or size of the breast
• A change in feel or colour of the breast

Causes and risk factors

There are genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that make breast cancer more likely, such as:

• Being female
• Increasing age
• Family history of breast cancer
• Being overweight
• Limited physical activity
• Starting your period before the age of 12
• Drinking alcohol

Having one or more of these factors does not mean you will definitely get breast cancer. In fact, some women develop breast cancer despite not having any known risk factors.

Prevention and detection

There are several changes you can make to your daily life that can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer:

• Self-examination once a month: inspect your breasts regularly to become familiar with them and aware of any changes.
• Breast cancer screening: discuss with your doctor when it is best for you to begin screening exams.
• Palpation and ultrasound examination: generally recommended 1 to 2 times a year from the age of 20, and earlier if necessary.
• A healthy lifestyle: exercising most days of the week, choosing a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk.
• Mammography: a low-dose x-ray that can identify changes too small to be felt. Recommended every two to three years from the age of 45, or earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer.