Breast cancer begins in the tissue of the breast. It is the overgrowth of abnormal cells in the breast (also known as a malignant tumor of the breast). Inside the breasts are glands (lobes) that produce and release milk after a woman has a baby. The tubes that connect the lobes to the nipple, where milk is released, are called ducts. The breast itself is made up of lobes, ducts, and fatty, connective and lymphatic tissue. Breast cancer can occur in any part of the breast region.
Facts:
- When detected early, breast cancer can be successfully treated
- Breast cancer is most common among Chinese, Filipina, Hawaiian, Japanese and Korean women, but can affect ALL ASIAN WOMEN.
- When breast cancer is detected at an earlier stage, the 5 year survival rate is very high (about 97%). If found at a later stage after it has spread to other organs, survival rates significantly decrease
Breast cancer may have no symptoms in the early stages, therefore it is important to have routine screenings even if you do not experience any symptoms (which may indicate advanced disease):
- A lump or mass in the breast or the underarm area.
- A change in breast size, shape or color
- A discharge from the nipple
- A change in the feel of the skin covering the breast (the skin could become dimpled, puckered or scaly) 5
Because early breast cancer does not produce symptoms, it is important for all women to follow the guidelines for finding breast cancer early. These include the following:
- A mammogram and a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) by a doctor or nurse every year for women over the age 40.
- Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should have a clinical breast exam every 3 years.
- All women over 20 should do breast self- examination (BSE) every month.
Breast Self Examination: The examination of one's own breasts is called breast self - examination (BSE). Studies so far have shown that BSE alone reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer. However, it should NOT be used in place of clinical breast examination and mammography.
Clinical Breast Examination: During your routine physical examination, your doctor or health care professional may do a clinical breast examination (CBE). During a CBE, your doctor will carefully feel your breasts and under your arms to check for lumps or other unusual changes.
Mammogram: A mammogram is a special x-ray of the breast that can often find tumors that are too small for you or your doctor to feel. During the test, the breast is compressed to spread the tissue apart and to allow a lower dose of x-ray. Although this may be temporarily uncomfortable, it is necessary in order to produce a good mammogram. The compression is only in place a few seconds of the examination and the entire procedure for screening mammography takes about 20 minutes.
Adapting specific lifestyle strategies may help reduce breast cancer risk. The following things need to be done -
Limit alcohol. Drinking alcohol (of any type) is strongly linked to breast cancer. To help protect against breast cancer, limit the amount of alcohol you drink to less than one drink a day or avoid alcohol completely.
Maintain a healthy weight. There's a clear link between obesity - weighing more than is appropriate for your age and height - and breast cancer. The association is stronger if you gain the weight later in life, particularly after menopause.
Avoid long-term hormone therapy. The link between postmenopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer has been a subject of debate for years, partly because research results have been mixed. Estrogen exposure clearly contributes to breast cancer risk, but for most women, the size of the contribution over a lifetime is small - particularly in the absence of other risk factors, such as family history of the disease. If you're approaching menopause and having frequent symptoms, it's probably safe to take hormones for as long as four to five years. Any longer does increase your breast cancer risk, without conferring any clear benefits. The same is true of hormone therapy after age 60.
Stay physically active. No matter what your age, aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days. Try to include weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging or dancing. These have the added benefit of keeping your bones strong.
Eat foods high in fiber. Among its many health benefits, fiber helps reduce the amount of circulating estrogen in your body. Foods high in fiber include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
