OCTOBER each year is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a worldwide annual campaign involving thousands of organisations, to highlight the importance of breast cancer awareness, education and research; and helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer and is the most common cancer in women around the world (breast cancer can also affect men though rarely).
About 1.4 million new breast cancer cases are diagnosed worldwide, with about 458,000 deaths each year.
Currently there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer; early detection of the disease therefore remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control.
When breast cancer is detected early and treatment started, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. Left undetected and untreated, breast cancer can spread to other areas of the body.
Where breast cancer has spread to other areas, it is referred to as metastatic breast cancer and classed as stage four. If detected late, curative treatment is often no longer an option.
The prognosis for stage four breast cancer is not good; the five-year survival rate is only 16 per cent.
Given the high incidence and poor prognosis of stage four breast cancer, early detection and treatment of this disease is therefore a high priority.
File photo shows pink balloons hanging on a stage during an event to raise awareness on breast cancer in Pristina. – AFP
The Colour Pink & The Pink Ribbon
The Breast Cancer Research Fou-ndation which was founded in 1993 in USA chose the pink ribbon, which had previously been used to symbolise breast cancer, as the symbol for breast cancer awareness.
The colour pink itself, at times, has been used to striking effect in raising breast cancer awareness.
Many famous buildings and landmarks across the globe have been illuminated in pink light during this event, for example Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Canada’s Niagara Falls.
Due to the success of this awareness event, the colour pink and breast cancer awareness ribbons are now associated with breast cancer awareness.
Breast cancer cases in Brunei Darussalam
In Brunei Darussalam, the incidence of breast cancer has been rising; in 2015, there were 118 new breast cancers cases diagnosed, compared to 99 cases in 2014 and 78 cases in 2013. The Brunei Cancer Centre treated and followed-up 596 patients with breast cancers or cancer survivors in 2015; compared to 547 patients in 2014 and 479 patients in 2013.
Risks of breast cancer
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity, normal body weight, a healthy diet and no smoking can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Studies have not proven with certainty a link between specific foods and risk of breast cancer, but a healthy, balanced diet has been shown to reduce the risk. Fat intake should not exceed 30 per cent of the daily diet.
It is also recommended to eat fruits and vegetables and whole grains and limit intake of red and processed meat, especially if it they are smoked, fried or canned.
Foods with a lot of calories, sugar, fat or salt should also be avoided.
More and more studies have shown that there is a relationship between physical activity and reduced breast cancer risk, especially after menopause.
A lack of exercise is responsible for 10 per cent to 16 per cent of breast cancers.
A body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9 is optimal to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer regardless of risk related to body weight.
Lifelong exercise is best for reducing risk, but it is also helpful to start physical activity at any stage of life.
Physical activity has also been shown to reduce the risk of a cancer recurrence.
Smoking increases the risk of many types of cancers, including breast cancer. Avoiding cigarettes and all tobacco products will reduce the risk significantly.
It has been scientifically proven that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, thus it is recommended that women who give birth breastfeed for as long as they can.
Hormone replacement therapy prescribed to alleviate symptoms of menopause may slightly increase the risk of cancer of the breast, ovary and uterus. It is important therefore to consult a gynaecologist on the pros and cons of treatment.
Mammography imaging of the breast is considered the best method for identifying breast cancers at an early stage. Mammography screening is recommended every two years for women 50 and over, and more frequently for women with a family or personal history of breast cancer.
Be Breast Aware
Breast Self-Examination (BSE), or regularly examining your breasts on your own, can be an important way to find a breast cancer early, when it’s more likely to be treated successfully.
Not every cancer can be found this way, but it is a critical step that you can and should take for yourself.
Over the years, there has been some debate over just how valuable BSE is in detecting breast cancer early; however BSE is still considered a useful and essential screening strategy, especially when used in combination with regular physical examinations by a doctor and mammography.
About 20 per cent of the time, breast cancers are found by physical examination rather than by mammography. It is still recommended that all women routinely perform breast self-examination as part of their overall breast cancer screening strategy.
Remember when it comes to breast cancer, early action can prevent it, while early diagnosis and treatment can cure it. – The Brunei Cancer Centre
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