The month of October is recognised as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to support those who have been diagnosed with, are battling, or are recovering from the disease
Did you know one in nine women is at a high risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime? However, if detected at an early stage, the chances of survival increase by over 90 percent.
What is breast cancer screening?
Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules.
Symptoms of breast cancer
Breast cancer can have several symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps are not cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by a doctor.
- A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- Discharge from either of your nipples, which may be streaked with blood
- A lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- Dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- A rash on or around your nipple
- A change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
- Breast pain is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.
Causes of breast cancer
The exact causes of breast cancer are not fully understood. However, there are certain factors known to increase the risk of breast cancer.
These include:
- Age – the risk increases as you get older
- A family history of breast cancer
- A previous diagnosis of breast cancer
- A previous non-cancerous (benign) breast lump
- Being tall, overweight or obese
- Drinking alcohol
Awareness
All women need to be informed by their healthcare provider about the best screening options for them.
At what age should you get tested for breast cancer?
Screening aims to find breast cancers early when they have the best chance of being successfully treated. To have screening you have an x-ray of your breast called a mammogram.
