Wear Pink to Work - Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we do our part in the cause by choosing a day as, Wear Pink to Work and organise various activities for staff, women in particular. Posters are put up, talks or discussions are held; they could be great ways to refresh your knowledge of the disease. As more research is done and advancements are made, it can be difficult to determine the latest and most trusted information on breast cancer. It is imperative to take the time to learn some common myths and facts about the disease, and share with women in your circles, your mother, daughters, friends or other women in your life. 

We are wearing pink to work tomorrow and I prepared a note that I'd like to share with all the women colleagues. Thought of sharing it here on my blog so that it can reach out to others too. Have collated information that might be useful or could be used as a guide for self examination. In case of any doubt, we have doctors to rush to and get the timely diagnosis and treatment.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women:

Breast cancer has ranked number one cancer among Indian females with age adjusted rate as high as 25.8 per 100,000 women and mortality 12.7 per 100,000 women. Breast cancer projection for India during time periods 2020 suggests the number to go as high as 1797900. Better health awareness and availability of breast cancer screening programmes and treatment facilities would cause a favorable and positive clinical picture in the country.

The positive news is that if breast cancer is diagnosed and treated early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 99 percent.

Obesity can increase your likelihood of developing breast cancer: Studies show that obesity increases the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, possibly due to high estrogen levels found in fat tissue. Exercising regularly and eating a nutritious diet can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Taking birth control pills may increase your risk of breast cancer: According to several studies, if you currently use birth control pills, you may slightly increase your risk of breast cancer, especially if you are a young woman. However, your risk level returns to normal about 10 years after you stop taking the pill. Most of the research on this topic applies to high-dose estrogen pills, which were more common in the past; more studies need to be done to determine if newer, low-dose estrogen formulas carry a similar risk. Talk to your health care professional about how birth control pills may impact your cancer risk; some studies suggest they may reduce risk for other cancers.

Breaking Myths about Breast Cancer

Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk

Roughly 70 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors for the disease. But the family-history risks are these: If a first-degree relative (a parent, sibling, or child) has had or has breast cancer, your risk of developing the disease approximately doubles. Having two first-degree relatives with the disease increases your risk even more.

Drinking milk (dairy) causes breast cancer

According to the National Breast Cancer foundation, studies have shown that dairy consumption does not increase your risk of developing breast Cancer. 

Men do not get breast cancer

Each year it is estimated that approximately 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 will die. While this percentage is still small, men should also check themselves periodically by doing a breast self-exam while in the shower and reporting any changes to their physicians. 

Caffeine causes breast cancer

No causal connection has been found between drinking caffeine and getting breast cancer; In fact, some research suggests that caffeine may actually lower your risk.

Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer: 

No clear scientific evidence has been found to support this claim.

If your mother did not have breast cancer, you are not at risk

Although a family history of the disease does increase your risk, anyone can develop breast cancer. In fact, most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. Regardless, it is important to know your family history and talk to a health care professional about your risk to determine when and how often you should get screened.

  

Breast cancer has high survival rates, but that comes down to breast awareness and monitoring

Who should do a self-breast exam?

Every woman, under 18 or over 50 and everyone in between should do a regular self-check at least once a month. 

All women over 20 should be breast aware while women aged 30 to 40 should get a clinical breast exam (by a doctor) done every three years. Women aged over 40 should do a clinical breast exam every year.

What does it mean to be 'breast aware'?

 25 per cent of all women with cancer, have breast cancer. It is sad that there is still stigma over being aware of your own breasts and body. Being breast aware is all about gauging what is normal for you - as an individual woman. Women's breasts keep changing throughout the month and throughout their life. What is normal for me or you will not be normal for another person. The only way to know when something doesn't seem right is to understand what is normal for you personally and to then monitor your breasts regularly.

When should you check?

Ideally it is best to check your breasts after your menstrual period as the hormonal changes during or right before menstruation can affect your results month to month. Breasts are also painful for many women during the time, which could make it harder to understand if something is wrong.

Before and during your shower is the best and most convenient time to do a self-examination. 

Which areas should you check?

The self-exam should include three areas of your body:

1. Breasts,
2. Collarbone area and
3. Armpits

 What should you look for?

In all these areas you are looking for:

1. Lumps, painful or otherwise
2. Moving or fixed swelling in any of these areas
3. Differences in skin texture like puckering or dimpling anywhere on the breast
4. Any unnatural or painful discharge from the breast
5. Drastic differences in shape or size of either breast (usually women tend to have slight differences in sizes, which makes understanding what's normal so important)
6. Any rash or redness around the nipples 
7. Any pain that is not related to menstruation or other cyclical pains

 Steps

1. Stand straight with your hands loose by your side, look at your breasts and collarbone area. Look for any visible swelling in either area or skin texture differences on the breasts.
2. Place your hands on your hips and bend forward. Watch the way your skin looks and the way your breasts move to check for anomalies.
3. Place your palms on the back of your head and straighten up. Look at the armpits, and to the sides and under the breasts for any swelling, skin texture differences, rashes or shape variations.
4. After this, lift only your left arm up. You can place the palm on your head or hold it straight up.
5. Place your right hand on your left breast and use the pads of your fingers to start the exam from the centre of the breast.
6. Move your fingers firmly, lightly pressing with the pads of the fingers, in concentric circles outward, feeling for lumps or swelling in the entire breast tissue. Also note any uncharacteristic pain.
7. Do the same in the left armpit and the left collarbone area. 
8. Let your left arm down and repeat the entire process from Step 4 with your right arm up, using your left hand to check your right breast, armpit and collarbone area.

The best way to do this is during a shower. You can repeat this lying down on your back when the breast tissue lies closes to the bone. 

Why is it important?

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world but it also has one of the highest survival rates. Being aware of your body can help eliminate or manage breast cancer risk. You do not need to worry even if you find a lump or something abnormal. It could be anything from harmless fibroids to scar tissue. The most important thing is to know before it's too late. 

Breast-feeding, healthy lifestyle choices and weight management have been proven to have some effect on mitigating the risk of this kind of cancer. However genetic factors, family history of cancer and age seem to be high-risk factors. However, researchers have not yet been able to find exact reasons or causes and until then, regular checks are vital for all women of all ages.