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Pink October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

With approximately 1 in 8 women developing breast cancer in their lifetime1, the importance of spreading awareness to help prevent and better treat cancer is at its highest. Although breast cancer awareness should be highlighted every month, October marks the anniversary that we really get to shout about it. And that’s because October is breast cancer awareness month. The time of the year when communities worldwide come together to show their support through campaigning, volunteering,  and fundraising to raise awareness and aid in world-class research for those suffering or have a loved one who has breast cancer. 

At your right to health, we recognize the value of all women and their right to health; for this reason, our purpose is to unite women as a community to stand together and support each other in fighting the disease.  We understand that facing cancer is a challenging and overwhelming journey. We want to support not only those who are facing cancer but also help spread awareness and promote prevention. One of the best ways to spread awareness is through learning about the disease, its risks, prevention, and treatment.  Therefore we have gathered some of the most crucial information about breast cancer and nicely laid it out in this blog. Read below to learn more

What is breast cancer?

First up, let us understand what exactly breast cancer is. Breast cancer is the development of abnormal cancerous cells that grow uncontrolled within the breast tissue and develop into a tumor. Although some tumors can be non-cancerous (benign), other tumors, known as malignant tumors, are cancerous. Breast cancer most commonly begins in the cells that line the milk ducts and lobules within the breast. In some cases, the cells continue to grow and invade healthy tissues in nearby lymph nodes and other parts of the body2.

There are actually several types of breast cancer, but these are usually divided into two types3; Noninvasive cancer, in which the cancer is found in the ducts of the breast but has not spread into the breast tissue surrounding these ducts. The other type is Invasive breast cancer, in which cancer has spread through the lining of the ducts (invasive ductal cancer) or lobules (lobular invasive cancer) and into the surrounding tissue.

There are also other types of breast cancer, such as Paget’s disease and inflammatory breast cancer, but these types are rare.

What are the risks of getting breast cancer?

Although there is no exact known cause of breast cancer, there are some factors that are believed to increase the risk of getting breast cancer4. It is important to note that if you do have one of these risk factors, that does not mean you will get cancer but that you are at an increased risk of getting breast cancer. These include:

  •  A family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer
  • A personal history of breast cancer
  • Having dense breasts
  • Genetic Mutations: genes known as BRCA1 and BARCA2 can increase both breast cancer and ovarian cancer risk.
  • Previously diagnosed with breast cancer.
  • Getting Older: Increased risk over 50 years.
  • Previous benign lump (non-cancerous lump) – a benign lump is not breast cancer; however, some benign lumps can change the breast tissue causing abnormal cells to grow in the ducts and lobes.
  • High Alcohol consumption- increases your risk of developing breast cancer by 10% for every alcoholic unit you consume a day.
  • Smoking increases the risk of breast cancer and other cancers, such as lung and oral cancer.
  • Obesity – excess fatty tissues produce more estrogen, which promotes the growth of cancer cells.
  • Estrogen exposure can stimulate breast cancer cells, causing them to grow.
  • Reproductive History; early menstrual periods before age 12 or starting menopause after age 55.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

There are several signs of breast cancer; however, the most common is a lump in the breast or armpit area. Although breasts can naturally be lumpy, it is always best to get lumps checked out by your doctor. Other common signs of breast cancer include5;

  • A rash around the nipple.
  • A change in the appearance of the nipple.
  • Swelling in one or both armpits and discharge from the nipple.
  • A change in shape or size of one or both breasts.
  • Dimpling on the skin of your breasts.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

Following the finding of a suspicious lump or another sign of breast cancer, your doctor will refer you for further testing and breast screening. The type of testing depends on your age and the symptoms you are experiencing. The following are common tests undertaken to diagnose breast cancer;

  • Mammogram: uses a low dose x-ray to take an off the breast.
  • Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to build an image of the breast and lymph nodes in the armpit.
  • Tissue biopsy:  A small tissue or cell sample of the lump or abnormal area is taken via a needle. 
  • Scans and x-rays: A computerized tomography (CT) scan, chest x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or liver ultrasound scan can help evaluate the spread of cancer.
  • Hormone receptor test:  Evaluates a sample of cancer cells taken at the time of the biopsy to evaluate the cells’ response to either estrogen or progesterone hormones.
  • Epidermal Growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2) test: Evaluates if the cancer is stimulated by a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).

How is breast cancer treated?

There are five main treatment options for treating cancer; they can be either used alone or in combination depending on your cancer. Some of these treatments are local, in which they target the area just around your tumor, while other treatment options are systemic and target the whole body with cancer-fighting agents6. The main cancer treatments are:

  • Surgery – removes either just the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue around the tumor, known as breast-conserving surgery or lumpectomy, or a mastectomy in which the breast or breasts (depending on cancer) is completely removed. Following a mastectomy procedure, you can opt to have your breasts reconstructed either at the time of your procedure or at a later date.
  • Chemotherapy- uses drugs known as cytotoxic (anti-cancer) drugs, which are given to kill the cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy – uses low doses of radiotherapy to kill the cancer cells.
  • Hormone therapy: uses drugs, surgery, or radiotherapy to reduce the production of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in hormone receptor-positive cancers.
  • Targeted therapy: Uses drugs to change the cell’s production and growth of HER2-positive cancers. 

How can I help prevent breast cancer?

Although there is no sure way to prevent cancer and some risks factors are uncontrollable, there are changes that you can make in your day-to-day living that can not only reduce your risks of breast cancer but can also promote early detection7.8 These are;

  • Undertaken regular self-breast examinations
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a healthy diet
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Breastfeeding

If you have a known risk factor such as a family history or genetic mutation; you can also reduce your risk by7;

  • Genetic counseling and testing
  • Regular breast examinations
  • Medicines to lower your risk
  • Preventative Surgery

Needs disclaimer

References

1.       American Cancer Society. How Common Is Breast Cancer? Available [online] at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html. Access August 18 2021.

2.       Breast Cancer FAQs – National Breast Cancer Foundation. Accessed August 18, 2021. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-faqs/

3.       Types of Breast Cancer – National Breast Cancer Foundation. Accessed August 18, 2021. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/types-of-breast-cancer/

4.       What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer? | CDC. Accessed August 18, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/risk_factors.htm

5.       What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer? | CDC. Accessed August 18, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/symptoms.htm

6.       Treating Breast Cancer.

7.       Rock CL, Thomson C, Gansler T, et al. American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2020;70(4):245-271. doi:10.3322/CAAC.21591

8.       What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Breast Cancer? | CDC. Accessed August 18, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/prevention.htm