Breast Cancer
1.What is Breast Cancer?
Uncontrolled growth of Abnormal cells in the tissues of the breast, which grow and divide more quickly than healthy cells. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts.
Facts and statistics
– Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and in Qatar
– 98% Survival rate from breast cancer, when detected at an early stage.
– 58% of breast cancer cases detected at late stage in the gulf area.
– Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the world.
– More than half of breast cancer cases occur before the age of 50 for women in the Gulf area.
– In Qatar breast cancer rate about 39% of all cancers in females.
– In Qatar 3% of breast cancer cases in the age group of 15-19 years between women.
Risk factors of breast cancer
Non-modifiable risk factors:
•Gender ( female are 100 fold more risky than men)
•Age (especially age group of 55 and above)
•Family history of breast cancer (close relative; mother, sister, daughter).
•Past medical history of breast cancer
•About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary
•Early age at menarche (before age 12) and / or older age at menopause (after age 55).
•Have dense breasts, which mean you have a lot of fibrous or glandular tissue and not much fatty tissue in your breasts. Breast density can be determined through screening.
Modifiable risk factors:
•Hormonal therapy
•obesity
•Therapeutic & environmental exposures to radiation
•Smoking & drinking alcohol.
•women who do not conceive or have their first child after the age of 30 years
•Women who are not breastfeeding.
•No history of pregnancy or lactation
•lack of exercise
Symptoms and warning signs of breast cancer
•a persistent lump in the breast that may feel different from other breast tissue
•One or more lumps in the armpit
•Changes in breast shape or size of breast
•Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
•Breast skin changes, such as Redness, dimpling, hotness, visible veins, or itching.
•Nipple changes, such as nipple inversion, scaling, or abnormal discharge.
Prevention:
How we can reduce the risk of breast cancer?
•Get regular physical activity 20-30 minutes, 5 days per week.
•Maintain healthy weight
•Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
•Breast feeding for at least 6 months
•Finding breast cancer early
•Genetic testing
•Preventive surgery for women with very high breast cancer risk
•avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution
•Limit the consumption of hormone therapy.
Breast cancer screening
Go for early detection if:
-You are 20 years and older start clinical breast exam periodically.
-You are 45 years and older start mammogram test.
-Family history with breast cancer.
-Previous lump in your breast (benign or malignant)
-Genetic predisposition of getting breast cancer
What is a mammogram?
Radiological examination done by doctor, in which the breast compressed between two sheets, where the breast tissue becomes flat and easily photographed. It is painless but may cause a feeling of discomfort during the examination.
What if I have a normal mammogram result?
Continue to do the test every 3 years.
What if I have an abnormal mammogram?
The doctor will do more instigation to check the final result, keep in mind that 80-85% of the lumps detected are benign) not cancer)
Where I can do the early detection tests?
Please don’t hesitate to contact; Breast cancer early detection call center (PHCC). phone number: 8001112