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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

The incidence of breast cancer among South African women is increasing and it is one of the most common cancers among women in South Africa. It is the most prevalent cancer amongst white and Asian women and the second most common cancer among black and coloured women. Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women of all races, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 27 in South Africa, according to the 2019 National Cancer Registry (NCR).

 Facts about Breast Cancer:

  • Both breast and cervical cancer have been identified as a national priority with increasing incidences occurring.
  • Approximately 19.4 million women aged 15 years and older live at-risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer – the cancer affecting women in South Africa the most. In 2013, deaths from breast cancer and cancers of the female genital tract, accounted for 0.7% and 1% of all deaths in South African respectively.
  • Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women worldwide.
  • 1 in 8 women receive a breast cancer diagnosis.
  • On average, every 2 minutes a female is diagnosed with breast cancer.
  • 1 woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.
  • Alcohol use increases the risk of breast cancer.
  • An estimated 2,470 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide.
  • 1 in 1,000 men will receive a breast cancer diagnosis.
  • Breast cancer occurrence and death rates generally increase with age.
  • Only 5-10% of individuals diagnosed have a family history of breast cancer.
  • Early detection of breast cancer can lead to effective treatment and a positive prognosis. About 90% of patients survive for many years after diagnosis when breast cancer is detected at the early stages.
  • Presenting yourself early for treatment may result in more effective treatment, leading to a reduction in pain and suffering and a significant decrease in the loss of life.

Male Breast Cancer:

Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for 1% of all breast cancers. It is a hundred times more common in women than in men. Breast cancer does not apply to women only. According to the Breast Health Foundation (South Africa) it is estimated that South Africa has the highest incidence of male breast cancer in the world with 1-3% of breast cancer cases diagnosed in South Africa occurring in men.

Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Men

The same techniques that are used to diagnose breast cancer in women are used in men:

  • Physical examination
  • Mammography
  • biopsies (examining small samples of tissue under a microscope)

Self- Breast Exam

A breast self-exam for breast awareness is an inspection of your breasts that you do on your own. To help increase your breast awareness, you use your eyes and hands to determine if there are any changes to the look and feel of your breasts.

If you notice new breast changes, discuss these with your doctor. Though most breast changes detected during a self-exam for breast awareness have benign causes, some changes may signal something serious, such as breast cancer.

It is important that men and women become familiar with their own breasts, so they understand what’s normal and promptly report changes.

Why do you need to do a breast self-exam?

A breast self-exam is needed to help you understand the normal look and feel of your breasts. If you notice a change in your breasts that seems abnormal or if you notice one breast is different when compared with the other, you can report it to your doctor.

There are many conditions that can cause changes in your breasts, including breast cancer.

Although the breast self-exam technique isn’t always a reliable way to detect breast cancer, a significant number of women report that the first sign of their breast cancer was a new breast lump they discovered on their own. For this reason, doctors recommend being familiar with the normal consistency of your breasts.

Below are tips on how to self-examine your breast:

Prepare for your breast self-exam for breast awareness:

  • Ask your doctor for a demonstration. Before you begin breast self-exams for breast awareness, you may find it helpful to discuss the instructions and technique with your doctor.
  • If you menstruate, choose a time in your cycle when your breasts are least tender. Your hormone levels fluctuate each month during your menstrual cycle, which causes changes in breast tissue. Swelling begins to decrease when your period starts. The best time to perform a self-exam for breast awareness is usually the week after your period ends.

Call to Action:

  1. Wear a pink ribbon daily in October
  2. Participate in community events such as walk/run events
  3. Support your local breast cancer centres either through a donation or your time

Reduce Risk Through Regular Examinations– Regular self-breast examination and regular mammograms are key to early detection.