Which one of us does not personally know someone who has had breast cancer? I am almost sure the answer is that most of us do know someone. This is an increasing and alarming scurge that is now appearing in women as young as 20.
As far as I know there is no real reason as yet specifically identified to pinpoint why the increase and why in younger women. Some of the culprits in the line-up are : hormones (that we take on purpose) and that are in our food (without us knowing), stress, other environmental factors, but nothing yet proven by science.
What can the ordinary woman (or man – did you know men can get breast cancer?) do to be vigilant/pro-active and try and detect anything abnormal early?
Monthly self-examination with a flat hand against the breast systematically working around to feel for lumps is the best way – if you do it every month you should easily pick up if there is a change and that should be checked out by your doctor. Women under the age of 40 can have yearly thermography done which is a very sensitive
screening tool FDA approved to detect many different things as well as breast cancer. Also younger women can have ultrasound done to investigate anything that seems abnormal.The latest screening test is thermography and I personally feel that routine (ie follow-up every year) thermography scans is a brilliant way for the young woman to screen for breast cancer. Google thermography Pietermaritzburg for the ladies that do this screening.
Mammography is still the recognised method of breast cancer detection but can only be done > 40 years and then should be done either yearly or every second year.
If a lump is detected in the early stages there is excellent treatment these days for breast cancer and many cases can be cured. The key is early detection. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are all methods of treatment but specifically chemotherapy is extremely successful and refined these days compared to times gone by.
Men can get breast cancer and so if you feel anything strange you should definitely get it checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Cancer CAN be beaten, especially breast cancer – vigilance is the key – monthly self-examination, awareness of your body and general checks by your doctor can save your life. The fact that the incidence is so much higher these days means that you should at all times ensure healthy living – eating healthily, drinking enough water, exercising, avoiding food especially meat that contains hormones/antibiotics, understanding what you eat and are exposed to, using medication only if it is absolutely necessary.
Genetics is something you can not fight and if you have a mother or sister who has had breast cancer there are genetic tests that you can do as well to look at your risk of developing breast cancer and you should definitely be much more vigilant too.
Breast cancer awareness month is October and we have come a long way in the battle to beating it! Be aware, self-examine and support breast cancer month in October.
Written by Dr Claudine Lee 26 Hilton Avenue 033 343 2243.
Kindly note that Dr Claudine Lee and Dr Ralph Gilbert will be doing "Around the coffee table talks", relaxed interactive chats about health issues at 26 Hilton Avenue once a month, dates will be advised. The first one will be by Dr Lee on Breastfeeding and the new mom, by a mom doing it second time around with some medical knowledge but lots of practical experience.