I have to be frank,  until today,  I , the layperson  is also  like a number  of great scientists out there , totally  baffled, as to why women get breast cancer. Anyone can get breast cancer, yet not everyone will.

Recently in the “The Million Women Study” by some senior scientists at Oxford University; a million ladies and their lifestyles were painstakingly recorded in order to understand the cancer  disease better. This particular study, which started as a study on hormone replacement therapy (HRT)  wanted to find out if hormones would rejuvenate women or give them cancer; became  a blueprint for women’s health. What they found out was to reduce risk of cancer and heart disease : avoid HRT ; do not smoke, do not get overweight nor too thin , BMI of  of around 24 is good, ideally don’t drink at all, taking the Pill when young actually protects you from ovarian cancer, do exercise and breastfeed for as long as possible.

This survey shows that living is about now , because the moment you stop drinking or smoking , your risks of cancer reduces.

And where breast cancer is concern, the study  also found that women who are over forty who have never breast fed stand  a higher risk of getting it , and extending breast feeding as long as possible like over sixteen months is even better and having as many kids as possible before thirty  is a great preventor.

What I do know , now that I have come in contact with BCWA , is that no one knows who will or won’t get cancer regardless of family history. What I do know is that it is important to  understand the medical jargon involved or ask more questions when doctors or experts are explaining about risks and chances of cancer and chances of recovery. For instance, when a doctor is diagnosing that someone  has carcinoma in-situ and it  has a 95% chance of developing  into cancer, what does it really mean? Likewise, when a doctor  diagnoses that a carcinoma in-situ is there with a 95% risk of developing into cancer  and takes it out , technically is that person a cancer survivor? No , because carcinoma in -situ is a growth that may not as  yet developed into cancer. It needs more tests before they can even call it cancerous. So, if certain knife happy doctors prescribe immediate surgery for cases like these, please get a second opinion and in Malaysia , it is advised that you go to any one of the University Hospitals rather than a private one because they have the equipments necessary to do the necessary tests .

I do know that early detection is almost vouched for by  doctors and specialists as best chance of cure and there is no better detection than through BSE (Breast Self Examination).

What I have learnt is that we all should be “Breast Aware” , girls who have reached puberty should already be taught to know their own breasts.I was once told by a doctor although the best days to do BSE (breast self examination is on the third day after the end of your menstruation when breasts are less lumpy and less dense ;it is equally important to have a habit of examining your breasts daily. This is because our fingertips are very sensitive and would quickly form a familiarity with our breasts and will detect any anomalies immediately! I,like a lot of you out there, is guilty. I have known this for years, but do I do it? No, I am quite lackadaisical about it. But no more, diligence , shall be my way, henceforth.

If you ever feel any lump or pain, go get a check up as soon as possible; don’t kid yourself. A lot of survivors actually tell of listening to their instincts that something isn’t right that saved their lives. Early detection and treatment could ensure survival rates of almost thirty years, hey that’s a better average than any other bets out there and we have met some of these survivors.

Recent years, famous women who have been affected and came out about it  include  performers and actress Anastasia, Kylie Minogue and Christina Applegate. I always used to think it was the hard push up bras and costumes they  wear (as seen on stage) that were the  culprits since the poor breasts’  cramped up cells probably get very aggravated but apparently not. Oops! Whilst Anastasia and Kylie used chemotherapy as treatment, Christina Applegate went for  full mastectomy  in an effort to get healed and also prevent future affectations. There are many types of treatment these days and one thing is for sure, there is definitely life after cancer. The many survivors I have met attest to this, they have stared at  death in the face, now, they just go out and live like there is no tomorrow.

In the course of my work, I was googling and found this interesting article about myths and facts surrounding breast cancer, which I found enlightening , may you also find it so.

So here are some commonly heard myths and facts :

Myth 1: If breast cancer runs in your family, it automatically means that you’re going to get it, too.

Fact: Getting breast cancer is not a certainty, even if you have one of the significant risk factors, like a strong family history or a known breast cancer gene abnormality. For example, of women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 inherited genetic abnormality, 40 to 80 percent will develop breast cancer over their lifetime; 20 to 60 percent won’t. All other breast cancer risk factors are associated with a much, much lower probability of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Myth 2: Only your mother’s family history of breast cancer can affect your risk.

Fact: A history of breast cancer in your mother’s OR your father’s family equally influence your risk. That’s because half of your genes come from your mother, half from your father. But a man with a breast-cancer gene abnormality is less likely to develop breast cancer than a woman with a similar gene. So, if you want to learn more about your father’s family history, you have to look mainly at the women on your father’s side, not just the men.

Myth 3: Breast cancer skips generations.

Fact: Genes that could increase the risk for breast cancer can go from one generation to the next, without skipping a generation. If your mother or father has a breast-cancer gene abnormality, you have a 50 percent risk of getting the gene and a 50 percent chance of not getting it. If you don’t get the gene, then you can’t pass it to your children.

Myth 4: Since I have no family history of breast cancer, I can’t get it.

Fact: Breast cancer is extremely rare in girls. Every adult woman has some risk of breast cancer. About 80 percent of women who get breast cancer have no known family history of the disease. Besides being a woman, growing older—just the wear and tear of living—is the biggest single risk factor for breast cancer. For those women who do have a family history of breast cancer, your risk may be elevated a little, a lot, or not at all. If you are concerned, discuss your family history with your physician or a genetic counselor. You may be worrying needlessly.

Myth 5: There is nothing you can do to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer. If it is going to happen, it will happen.

Fact: There are many things you can do to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer: keep to a healthy weight, exercise 3 to 4 hours a week, don’t smoke, limit alcohol use to 5 or fewer drinks per week, eat 5 to 9 fruits and vegetables a day; limit your consumption of red meat, fried foods, and blackened grilled foods; and buy organic and hormone-free foods whenever possible.

Myth 6: Mammograms help prevent breast cancer.

Fact: Mammograms can save lives but they do not prevent breast cancer. They help detect breast cancer in its earliest stages when it’s most treatable, thereby improving your chance of surviving breast cancer by 30 percent or more.

Myth 7: Big breasts have a higher risk of breast cancer.

Fact: Breast size has no significant impact on the risk of developing breast cancer.

Myth 8: You can catch breast cancer from your mom when she was pregnant with you or through her breast milk.

Fact: Absolutely not. Breast cancer is not transmitted during pregnancy or breast milk.

Myth 9: Cell phones, antiperspirants, and tanning cause breast cancer.

Fact: There is no evidence that these factors increase the risk of breast cancer. Tanning in the sun or in salons does increase the risk of skin cancer. It’s important to use sunscreen, limit time in the sun, and avoid tanning salons to reduce your risk of skin cancer.

Myth 10: A breast cancer diagnosis is an automatic death sentence.

Fact: Most women survive breast cancer and can live long lives. Even women who are living with breast cancer can live a long time. Plus new promising treatment breakthroughs are becoming available each day, so there are many reasons to be hopeful about the future.

Ref:

Breast Cancer Myths from Breastcancer.org and the book ” Taking Care of Your “Girls” ,http://health.msn.com/health-topics/breast-cancer/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100236200&gt1=31024

The Guardian Papers

Pictures courtesy of : www.sxc.hu

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