Saving Lives from Breast Cancer
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from the cells of the breast. It is the second most common cause of death among women next to lung cancer. Breast cancer has a high cure rate of about 90% when detected early.
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
• Being female
• Age: breast cancer is much more common in women over the age of 50
• Family history of breast cancer
• Having no children
• First child after age 30
• Early start of menstruation (before 12)
• Late menopause (after 55)
• High fat diet
Prevention of Breast Cancer
There is no definite way to prevent breast cancer. Early detection gives women more treatment options and can save the breast or the woman’s life. The three early detection techniques are: breast self-examination (BSE), physician’s examination and mammography. Women can do their own BSE. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breasts. It detects cancer when it is too small to be felt.
Breast Self Examination (BSE)
Do a BSE monthly, 7-10 days after your menstrual period. If you are no longer having periods, pick a date once a month that will be remembered. Do BSE in all three positions. Breast tissue may feel different in each of these positions.
• Lying down
• In the shower or tub (with soapy hands)
• In front of a mirror, look for any dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple, redness, or swelling
BSE Technique
Use wedge, circular or strip pattern to feel for lumps in the breast
• Feel the underarm and around collarbone for lumps
• Use three middle fingers. Keep them flat
• Apply pressure firmly
• Feel nipple. Press gently to check for discharge
• Compare the right and left breasts. If something different is felt in one breast, examine the same area of the other breast. If it feels the same, it is probably normal
Signs and symptoms
• Lump or thickening
• Change in the size or shape of the breast
• Nipple discharge
• Dimpling or scaling of the skin or nipple
Signs of breast changes can be for reasons other than breast cancer. Many breast changes are hormone-related.
Mammograms
Screening mammograms are specialised x-rays that can detect cancers in the early stages, before they can be felt. Since the chance of having breast cancer increases significantly with age, all women over the age of 50 should have regular mammograms performed every 1-2 years. A recent study conducted on women in the US, Canada and Europe found that women over the age of 50 who had regular mammograms had a 23 percent lower risk of dying from breast cancer than their peers who did not. At SHAPE, only about 50% of women over the age of 50 have had a current mammogram. Several authorities also recommend mammograms for women from 40-49 as well. Women in this age group should discuss whether screening mammograms are indicated in their individual case with a doctor.
Resources
For information on breast self examination and a variety of health topics in English go to the U.S. Army Preventive Medicine website www.hooah4health.com. Breast self examination details are under the Prevention tab at Woman’s Health, American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.
Call SHAPE HCF Central Appointments 065/44.58.86 to see a doctor about breast cancer screening.
Michael A Madsen
COL MC FS
Commander
SHAPE Healthcare Facility