The month of October is all about Breast cancer, the most common invasive cancer in females, worldwide. It is important to understand this disease as thousands of women die every year because of ignorance and a delayed detection.
Early detection is very key to surviving breast cancer. Survival rates are lower when the disease is in its advanced form. The earlier you detect breast cancer, the better your chances of survival. When detected early, treatment can be commenced early, allowing limited time for metastasis (spread) to other body parts. This is known to result in better patient outcomes.
It is therefore very important to perform regular breast cancer screenings.
- Self-Breast Examination (SBE) which is a daily checking of the breast is very important. It helps in detecting lumps in and around the breast, as well as outward physical signs of breast changes that occur in the progression of breast cancer. Read more on that here.
- A mammogram can detect a problem before there is any outward physical sign. Mammograms are able to detect lumps that may be too small to see or feel. It is important for women over 40 years to have regular mammogram checks. National Mammography Day is observed on the third Friday of every October. It is directed to reinforce the belief that early detection is the best defence against the breast cancer. Women are advised to schedule mammograms
Breast Cancer Myths
Myth 1: Breast cancer affects only women
Fact: Men have been known to suffer and die from Breast cancer
Myth 2: Breast cancer affects only older women:
Fact: Breast cancer can occur at any age. However, it is not commonly seen in children
Myth 3: Breast cancer affects only individuals with family history of breast cancer
Fact: While this group of people are at risk of breast cancer, even people with no family history have been diagnosed with Breast cancer
To read more on Breast Cancer and Self Breast Examination, please click the links below:
What You Need to Know about Breast Cancer
How to Perform Self Breast Examination
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