Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of death from cancer among women worldwide. As Breast Cancer Month nears, we share four facts you need to know about breast cancer, as well as how you can provide clarity and support to those affected by this challenging experience.
1. Breast cancer diagnosis can happen at any age.
While said disease typically affects women who are 50 years or older, breast cancer can happen at any age. Its incidence in younger women is still slow, but diagnoses under the age of 50 have increased in the past decades. This surge, according to this recent study, was driven by cancerous growth fueled by estrogen, with increased diagnoses of estrogen-receptor-positive tumors.
The rise in cases among women under 50 may also be attributed to women delaying pregnancy at a later age or having fewer kids. Other risk factors include family history, having a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, taking hormones, and increased alcohol drinking. Smoking may also increase your risk, as well as working the night shift, which can cause hormonal changes.
This only makes it important to know not only the risk factors, but also the early signs and to keep regular mammogram appointments. This is especially true for those who have first-degree relatives (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., screening should start 10 years before the age of diagnosis for said relative.
2. Breast cancer screening should start at 40 years old and much earlier for those who have higher risk.
Breast cancer screening, various health organizations suggest, should start at age 40. This applies to all individuals assigned female at birth and has an average risk of said disease. Average risk means not having a personal or strong family history of breast cancer or genetic mutation (BRCA gene) known to increase the risk of the disease, and has not undergone chest radiation therapy before 30.
The new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is attributed to elevated rates of breast cancer among younger women and Black individuals. The Singapore Cancer Society and the Ministry of Health advise women from age 40 to 49 to get a mammogram screening once every year.
It is also worth noting that mammograms can determine if you have dense breasts, which means having more fibrous or glandular tissue rather than fat. Women who have dense breasts, according to the US National Cancer Institute, have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Extremely dense breasts makes it difficult to see masses or cancer on mammograms, so having a breast ultrasound also helps.
Screenings, however, should start earlier for individuals with high risk. It is recommended to get a breast MRI and a mammogram every year, around age 30. This includes those who:
- Have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation (through genetic testing)
- Have a parent, child, or sibling (first-degree relative) with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation and have not been tested for gene mutations
- Have a personal history of breast cancer and certain non-cancerous breast diseases
- Had chest radiation treatment between 10 and 30 years old
- Have Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, or have first-degree relatives with one of these syndromes
3. Most breast cancers don’t always start with a lump.
In the earliest stages, breast cancers don’t have symptoms. And when symptoms appear, they don’t start with a lump that you can detect by touch. If there is a noticeable lump, it can mean that the cancer is at a growing or advanced stage. This only makes it important to watch out for other signs and report them to your doctor immediately.
- Nipple changes (nipple retraction or when nipple becomes inverted)
- Unusual or bloody nipple discharge
- Warmth or itching in the breast
- Swelling in or around the breast, collarbone, or armpit
- Breast dimpling or thickening
- Breast pain without a physical or visible lump
4. You can lower your risk of breast cancer.
Apart from regular breast cancer screening, here are a few other ways to lower your breast cancer risk:
- Maintain a healthy weight – being overweight increases your risk of different cancers, including breast cancer.
- Exercise regularly – this can keep your weight in check and reduce your risk of diseases and cancers. Aim to have at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily.
- Limit or avoid alcohol – consuming high amounts of alcohol or drinking regularly increases your risk of getting breast cancer and other serious diseases. Not drinking is the safest choice.
- Quit or never start smoking – this habit damages almost every organ in the body and raises your risk of breast cancer and other types. The same can also be true for breathing in another person’s cigarette smoke.
- If you have a baby, breastfeed – for every 12 months of breastfeeding, your risk of breast cancer reduces by 4.3%. It is good to know that breastfeeding also helps protect your child from various illnesses and diseases.
- Avoid hormone therapy for menopause – combined menopausal hormone therapy (synthetic versions of estrogen and progestin) can increase your risk of breast cancer. Be sure to talk to your doctor to learn more about the pros and cons of menopausal hormone therapy.
Empowering patients after a breast cancer diagnosis
Our clinic is organizing a webinar titled “Overwhelmed but Strong: Empowering Your Choices after a Breast Cancer Diagnosis”. We know how overwhelming it can be to receive a breast cancer diagnosis, so we aim to provide clarity and support to individuals facing this challenge.
Our goal is to empower participants with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate this life-changing experience. Our webinar will feature Dr. Anthony Tang, a breast cancer surgeon, and Ms. Sheny John, a senior director and senior principal physiotherapist. Our very own Dr. Sylvia will serve as the moderator and guide the discussion.
Webinar Details:
- Title: Overwhelmed but Strong: Empowering Your Choices after a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- Date: Tuesday, October 1st 2024
- Time: 3 pm; Asia/Singapore
- Registration Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctc-2uqj8uGtOlM9RhL36ewhc-hYa_JGs3#/registration
Getting support from loved ones and through education can help you or someone you know navigate breast cancer, as well as empower your and their choices. So, don’t hesitate to share this post or the link for our upcoming webinar. Together, we can make a difference.
Sources:
https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/breast-cancer-rates-increasing-among-younger-women/
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-myths/
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones
https://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/get-screened/breast-cancer/mammogram.html.
https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/risk-factors/index.html
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/symptoms
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