Keep abreast of cancer

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month. It’s a time we don the pink ribbons and dedicate our efforts toward education of the disease. But your strongest weapon against the ailment is early detection. So keep abreast with information. It may save your life.

In Malaysia, there is an estimated 35 breast cancer patients per every 100,000 people. For between half and one third of the women within that population, the disease will prove fatal, making it one of the leading causes of cancer deaths for Malaysian women.

But it’s a disease that’s easily curable if caught early. Know what to look for and help save yourself.

Facts:

A Malaysian woman has a 1 in 19 chance of getting breast cancer some time during her life.

The cumulative lifetime risk of developing breast cancer among Chinese women, Indian women and Malay women were: 1 in 14, 1 in 15 and 1 in 24 respectively.

Statistics for Malaysia were sourced from the National Cancer Registry Reports 2002 and 2003. Over time, the pattern of cancers, including breast cancer, will be better established. It is only with continued reliable data that important decisions on planning and policy management can be made for the country.

In 2002 and 2003, breast cancer was the most common cancer reported. It was reportedly also the most common cancer reported amongst women of all ages during that time.

Breast cancer is most common amongst the Chinese, followed by the Indians and then, Malays.

Breast cancer formed 31 per cent of newly diagnosed cancer cases in women in 2003, an increase from 30.4 per cent in 2002.

(Source: www. malaysia.kurnia.com/Lifestyle/Health.com)

In Malaysia, the National Cancer Registry reported 56 news cases of male breast cancer in 2002 and 24 new cases in 2003. In 2002, the male breast cancers were diagnosed in 26 Malay, 22 Chinese and 5 Indian men. 71 per cent (40 of them) were diagnosed in those aged 50 years or elder.

Of the 24 new cases reported in 2003, 11 were in Chinese men, while 7 were in Malay men.

(Source: www. www.radiologymalaysia.org)

How and why

A specific cause of breast cancer has yet to be identified, but several suspected risk factors have been identified. These include being overweight, having a family history of breast cancer, using hormone replacement therapy after the age of 50, or taking certain contraceptive pills. The risk of developing breast cancer also increases with age, with 8 out of ten cases occuring in women over the age of 50.

(Source: www.macmillan.org.uk)

Breast cancer occurs when cells in the lobules – the milk producing glands or ducts, become unusual and split uncontrollably.

What to look for

A breast lump is the first symptom in nine out of 10 breast cancers. However, a woman’s breasts are rarely the same size and may feel different at different times of the menstrual cycle, sometimes becoming lumpy just before a period. If you do detect a lump during a self-examination, have it checked by your doctor. Other things to look for are: skin changes like dimpled or redness of the breast, an inverted nipple or bloodstained nipple discharge, an unusal change in size, or any pain. Lymph glands in the armpit may also be swollen if affected by the cancer cells.
BSE, Breast Self Examination.

How to examine your breasts

Early detection is the strongest weapon any woman has against breast cancer. Yet, only 35-40 per cent of women perform the BSE. The more often you check your breasts, the more you will find out about them and the easier it will be to detect any changes.

Screening

During a screening, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination before requesting a mammography and ultrasound scan of the breast. A tissue sample in the form of needle suction or biopsy can also be obtained. A list of places where screening is done is availbe at the end of this article.

Know your risks

Use this checklist to see if you fall into a high risk category.

Did you get your period at an early?

There are many types of breast cancer. 60 per cent of this variety have shown a senstivity to oestrogen, so the more oestrogen you’ve been exposed to – like in the case of early menstruation (before the age of 12) or late menopause (after the age of 55) – the higher your risk of developing breast cancer.

When did you have children?

Having children before the age of 28 reduces your risk of breast cancer. This is probably due to changes in the breasts during pregnancy, which are thought to make them more resilient. Breastfeeding is also a preventitive measure against the cancer.

Are you overweight?

Fat tissue produces oestrogen, increasing your risk of developing breast cancer. Stick to lean meats, low fat dairy and maintain lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Are you often sleep deprived?

Japanese research has found getting less than six hours sleep every night increases your risk of breast cancer.

Studies have also found that processed sandwich meats may increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Charred food from a BBQ, for example, has also been linked to cancer.

Do you drink lots of alcohol?

One alcoholic drink a day increases your risk.

Do you have a strong family history of breast cancer?

If someone in your family has been diagnosed, especially a mother or sister, then you are also more at risk. But, less than five per cent of breast cancer is due to an inherited risk.

Rosemary Caffarella a breast cancer survivor, has been one of the principal investigators in the Laboratory of Education and Research in Cancer at UPM. They aim to develop an infrastructure to support Malaysian women suffering from breast cancer. She tells the Cornell University online chronicle that “in most cases, breast tumours are in a more advanced stage when Malaysian women first see their doctors, compared with the early diagnosis that has become widely available in the United States.

“Even when women would come in and be diagnosed, often they would not come back for surgery,” said Caffarella. “And if they had surgery, they may not come back for radiation or other treatments.” She added that due to lack of education and support, women may misunderstand why physically and emotionally draining treatments may make them feel sicker than the breast cancer itself.”

Breast cancer awareness around town

Estée Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness Roadshows will be at following locations: One Utama (Oct 12-15) Mid Valley Megamall (Oct 18-21) Sogo (Oct 15-27)

October 31: The Pink Ribbon Ball being held at the One World Hotel. Girls to glam it up in pink and guys in black. Tickets start from RM250 per person. Visit www.pinkribbonr2r.my for more information.

With each purchase of a Revlon Super Lustrous lipgloss in pink (RM36), 10 per cent of the sale will go towards breast cancer research.

Bobbi Brown has a Pink Ribbon Collection available at RM140. Charities including BCWA, College of Radiology Malaysia, NSCM and CARIF will benefit when you purchase these creamy sensous lip balms.

Estee Lauder has the Evelyn Lauder lip set and Elizabeth Hurley Set both available at RM80. The proceeds will go to CARIF, NSCM, BCWA and College of Radiology Malaysia.

For more information visit:www.breastcancer.org.my , or email: info@breastcancer.org.my

Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA)

The National Cancer Society of Malaysia: 03-2698-7351

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Category: Health