theWAR
against Breast Cancer
Even with the devastating effects of COVID-19, breast cancer still remains a major national and international concern. The breast is the leading site for cancer in females in Jamaica, followed by cervix, uteri and large bowel.
Currently, approximately 43 out of every 100,000 women in Jamaica have breast cancer and it is predicted that 1 out of every 21 women in Jamaica will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
Most persons in this country have, to one extent or another, been affected by breast cancer. Some have breast cancer, others have family member(s) with breast cancer, while some know of a friend who was diagnosed with this disease.
Often there are no outward signs of breast cancer that you can see or feel. This is especially so in the early stages of the disease. When there are outward signs, the more common ones include: a lump, an area of thickening, or a dimple in the breast or bloody nipple discharge. Less common signs include breast swelling and redness or an enlarged underarm lymph node. The best time to detect breast cancer is when there are no outward signs because there is a high possibility that the disease is in its early stage. It is well known that detection of breast cancer in its early stage results in the best possible chance for cure of this disease.
How then can we detect breast cancer when there are no outward signs?
The answer is “by doing a mammogram.”
A mammogram is considered the most powerful breast cancer detection tool for early-stage disease. A mammogram is an x-ray exam of the breast that is used to detect and evaluate breast changes. Mammograms are not only used in women who have signs and symptom of breast disease. They can also be used to check for breast cancer in women who have NO signs or symptoms of the disease. This type of mammogram is called a screening mammogram.
During a screening mammogram, two x-ray pictures or images of each breast is usually taken. These x-ray images make it possible to detect changes/tumors that cannot be felt (i.e. before there are outward signs). These mammographic changes include micro-calcifications.
Micro-calcifications are tiny deposits of calcium that look like “grains of salt” that sometimes indicate the presence of breast cancer. These micro-calcifications are usually too small to be felt by either breast self-examination or breast examination by a health professional. Mammography is considered the most powerful tool for detection of these micro-calcifications.
All women who are 40 years and older should have a screening mammogram done every year (even if they do not have any signs or symptoms of breast disease), and even though they do not have any family member with this disease. Almost 85% of women who get breast cancer do not have any one in their family with this disease.
Very often, false beliefs about breast cancer result in unnecessary anxiety and fear or complacency that sometimes prevent women from obtaining early diagnosis and optimum treatment.
Common myths about breast cancer:
1. I am not overweight. I do not drink alcohol or smoke. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly; hence, I cannot get breast cancer.
FALSE: There are many ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer. These include lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, no smoking or alcohol consumption and eating a balanced diet with lavish amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables and low in fat. While these decrease a woman’s risk of breast cancer considerably…all of the risk is not entirely removed. All women over the age of 40 years should therefore be doing annual mammograms. Also, remember breast cancer does not respect anyone (regardless of educational status or “pay scale”).
2. Monthly self examination is the best way to find breast cancer early.
FALSE: Although a woman’s awareness of changes in her breasts is important, having a mammogram done according to guidelines, saves more lives, because mammograms can find many cancers that are far too small to be felt. It is these small cancers that are most likely to be curable. Women should do mammograms yearly after the age of 40 years old. Remember, women over 40 do not need a written request form from a doctor to be able to do a mammogram. Women should take the responsibility to book their mammograms at any X-ray facility, have it done, then take the results to their doctors.
Women who notice lumps or any other changes in their breasts should contact their doctor immediately – even if it is after a recent, normal mammogram.
3. My breasts are too small for me to get breast cancer: small breasts means low risk.
FALSE: Breast size is determined by the amount of breast tissue one has. And how much breast tissues one has (meaning small or large breasts), is irrelevant when it comes to developing breast cancer. So do your mammograms if you are 40 years and over.
4. Only females get breast cancer.
FALSE: Although breast cancer is much more common in females, males can still get breast cancer. We therefore encourage men to examine their breasts regularly. If they feel any changes, these should be reported immediately to their doctor.
Stay tuned for more myths…
In the title the word ‘the” starting the title should have a capital “T” to reflect “The WAR against Breast Cancer”