Page 23 - My FlipBook

Information About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer affects around 15% of women.

Signs of breast cancer can be as diverse as the number of types of breast cancer. These can include, but are
not limited to lumps, swelling, redness, or pain in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the
skin, fluid coming from the nipple, or a red scaly patch of skin, tiredness or moodiness, In those with
distant spread of the disease, there may be bone pain, swollen lymph nodes, shortness of breath, or yellow
skin. Any change in the breasts, any general feeling of un-wellness or any change in hormonal patterns
related to the breasts, or any time there is signs of something which cannot be explained, it's also a good
reminder to have a check-up for cancer, breast or cervical.

! ANY CHANGE IN BREASTS, EVEN IF NOT A CLASSIC SIGN, SHOULD PROMPT SCREENING FOR
BREAST CANCER BY ULTRASOUND AND MAMOGRAM. !

Risk factors for developing breast cancer include: female sex, obesity, lack of physical exercise, drinking
alcohol, birth control and hormone replacement therapy during, ionizing radiation, early age at first
menstruation, having children late or not at all, and older age. About 5–10% of cases are due to genes
inherited from a person's parents, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 among others. Diets which are rich in meat
and dairy are linked to higher breast cancer rates. Some studies have linked stress, poor mental state, and
low immune system conditions to cancer rates.

The diagnosis of breast cancer is confirmed by taking a biopsy of the concerning lump. Once the diagnosis
is made, further tests are done to determine if the cancer has spread beyond the breast and which
treatments it may respond to.

How often should checks be done? A 2009 review for the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends
screening every two years in women 50 to 74 years old. Those at risk should begin screening earlier, may
consider more frequent screening, and should consider genetic testing for BRCA. Fast growing cancers can
progress to problematic stages within a short time even less than 12 months. Regular checks, especially for
high risk women are recommended to be completed annually. Lower risk women may consider completing
checks at the same intervals as cervical checks (which can be from yearly up to 3 yearly depending on risk
and location), which also may be a good reminder.

! IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO BE CHECKED AT ANY AGE FOR ANY REASON !

It's important to know, that screening should include an ultrasound either at the same time or on alternate
checks to mammograms Certain types of breasts, in particular small or dense do not respond to
mammograms or self screening.

! COMPLETE AN ULTRASOUND AS WELL AS A MAMOGRAM !

In those who have been diagnosed with cancer, a number of treatments may be used, including surgery,
radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted therapy. Types of surgery vary from
breast-conserving surgery to mastectomy. Surgery should always include lymph node screenings, since this
is the first area of metastasis for breast cancer. Breast reconstruction may take place at the time of surgery
or at a later date. In those in whom the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, treatments are mostly
aimed at improving quality of life and comfort.

! MOST CANCER IS 100% TREATABLE IF CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH. PLEASE SHARE THIS WIT
WOMEN YOU KNOW TO HELP ENSURE EARLY DETECTION IS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. !