What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer starts when cells in breast tissue begin to grow out of control. These cells usually form a tumour that can often be seen on an x-ray (mammogram) or felt as a lump. The tumour is malignant (cancer) if the cells can grow into surrounding tissues or spread to distant areas of the body. Breast cancer occurs most commonly in women, but men can get breast cancer too.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer can have various symptoms. You should see your doctor if you notice any of the following:
- a lump or swelling in either of your breasts or armpits
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples, which may be streaked with blood
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Very often breast cancer may not cause any pain, leading many people to disregard their other symptoms. Therefore, it is vitally important to know what’s normal for you, and have any changes checked by your doctor at the breast clinic.
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Although the exact causes are not fully understood, there are certain factors known to increase the risk of breast cancer.
These include:
- Gender (being female)
- Age – the risk increases as you get older
- A family history of breast cancer
- A previous breast cancer diagnosis or benign breast disease
- Increased breast density
- Being overweight or obese
- Drinking alcohol excessively
Reduce your risk - one step at a time
1. Be Breast Aware
Learn how to check your breasts and make sure you’re familiar with how they normally look and feel. Notice anything abnormal? Talk to your doctor about it.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Research has found that having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of between 18 and 25 lowers your risk of breast cancer. If you’re already overweight, losing just 5% of your weight (and keeping it off!) can reduce your risk substantially - by between 25 and 40%.
Eat more fruit, vegetables and wholegrains while avoiding processed foods which are often high in sugar and fat.
3. Be Physically Active
4. Drink Sensibly
Alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. If you choose to drink, you can help keep your risk of developing breast cancer from alcohol low by limiting your intake to 14 units a week. The more you cut down on alcohol, the more you reduce your risk. Spread your drinks evenly throughout the week. If you’d like to cut down, try having several drink-free days each week.
5. Hormones
Research has found a link between the oestrogen hormone and breast cancer. Aim to stop using oral contraceptives when you are around 30 – speak to your family doctor about the alternatives available to you. Limit the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to a short time and avoid using this continuously for years.
6. Breast feeding
Breast feeding can help lower your risk of breast cancer and it is recommended, if possible, to breastfeed your baby for at least six months.