Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2021

Women all over the world continue to be affected by breast cancer, which is one of the most prevalent health issues for women. Many people choose not to openly discuss breast cancer, despite increased awareness and medical advances, due to a social stigma surrounding the disease and a lack of information about it. There is a critical need for increased awareness of breast cancer symptoms, how to prevent it, and how to treat it in order to enhance early diagnosis and improve survival rates.

October is designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month to raise community awareness of the benefits of early detection and treatment. This initiative was launched in 1985, when Imperial Chemical Industries' pharmaceutical division joined forces with the American Cancer Society to raise awareness of breast cancer through education and screening programs. As a result, October has evolved into an international initiative to unite individuals, help support patients diagnosed with breast cancer, promote early detection and screening, and share information about breast cancer.

The increasing incidence of breast cancer is sometimes attributed to environmental or lifestyle influences. According to studies, women who reside in industrialised regions with considerable air and water contaminants are more likely to develop breast cancer than their counterparts in clean environments. Exposure to airborne substances, such as nitrogen dioxide, a byproduct of auto emissions and burning fossil fuels, has been connected to a greater likelihood of cancer developing.

Conversely, the best way to improve breast cancer survival rates is through the early detection of the illness. The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of being cured. Unfortunately, many women do not experience symptoms until the disease has reached advanced stages, which is why regular cancer screening is critical.

Tips on Detecting Breast Cancer Early

Regular screening and being aware of how your body changes are two major ways to detect breast cancer in an early stage. As part of routine health checks, women should have their healthcare provider evaluate any unusual changes to their bodies.

Mammography (medical speciality) is the leading method used for diagnosing breast cancer. Mammography is an X-ray of the breast that can allow for early detection of tumors, before being felt by the patient.
It is recommended that a woman 40 years or older have a mammogram annually, but women at increased risk for breast cancer (i.e., family history) would possibly need to have mammograms done earlier or more frequently than the 40+, based upon the doctor's recommendation.
If a mammogram is suspicious, the doctor will most likely recommend a biopsy, in which a small piece (sample) of tissue is removed from the area of concern and analysed in the laboratory to determine the presence of cancer cells.
Additional imaging may include any of the following: CT scans (computerised tomography, computerised image scans), MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging, imaging with magnetic energy), x-rays of the chest, PET scans (positron emission tomography, nuclear imaging), or bone scans (detecting cancer in the bones by looking at areas of bone activity). Each imaging modality helps determine the extent of the disease and its stage.

Risk Factors of Breast Cancer

Although breast cancer is rare in pregnant women, it can still occur, and any unusual bumps or breast changes should be reported to the pregnant womanâ€™s doctor right away so that the doctor can properly assess the problem.

Many different risk factors can make it more likely for someone to develop breast cancer, including a woman who has had breast cancer in one breast is more likely to develop it in the other breast as well. Approximately 75% of all women who develop breast cancer are over the age of 50. Additionally, a woman who has a mutation in her BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes has an increased chance of getting breast cancer.
There are also hormonal/reproductive risk factors that can contribute to the likelihood of developing breast cancer. For example, women who begin menstruating at an earlier age, experience their last menstrual period later in life, or do not have children may be at slightly increased risk for developing breast cancer.
To lower your risk of developing breast cancer, you should consider making some lifestyle changes to help prevent it. There are many ways to reduce your overall health risks, but one of the best ways to reduce your chance of developing breast cancer is to live a healthy lifestyle.
The amount of alcohol you consume should be limited as much as possible. Cigarette smoking is also a major contributing factor to the development of breast cancer in women, especially premenopausal women, so quitting smoking will greatly reduce your chances of developing breast cancer.

Prevention of Breast Cancer

Breastfeeding has been shown to have protective benefits. Mothers who breastfeed longer have a lower risk of developing breast cancer.
A healthy weight is also key. After menopause, being obese or overweight increases your chances of developing breast cancer. Exercise and healthy nutrition can help manage weight.
Eating healthy can help prevent cancer. A healthy diet is made up of vegetables, fruit, fiber, and whole grains. Leafy green vegetables, broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, dried beans and legumes, and whole grains contain important nutrients and antioxidants that help the body defend itself against illness.

Treatment of Breast Cancer

Treatment for breast cancer varies with the type of tumor, how far along the cancer is, and the personâ€™s overall health. Treatment will typically consist of a combination of methods to achieve the best possible results.

In the case of breast cancer that has not progressed beyond the ductal or lobular stage (both stages are classified as early-stage), surgery will be the initial course of action. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, patients may undergo breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) or total mastectomy with or without concomitant radiation therapy to eradicate any remaining cancer cells from the area surrounding the surgical site.
With respect to stages II and III, surgical intervention, along with adjuvant treatment modalities including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, has shown significant efficacy at eliminating any possible residual cancerous tissue that may have dispersed from the original pathology.
The designation of Stage IV breast cancer, or metastatic breast cancer, is given when the malignant disease has metastasised or spread beyond the initial point of origin to distant sites throughout the body. In this situation, patients may receive systemic therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy) to control metastatic disease and improve overall quality of life.
Patients who are diagnosed with a particularly aggressive variant of breast cancer typically benefit from standard chemotherapy regimens, i.e., triple-negative breast cancers. Patients whose cancer returns after initial treatment (including failure to achieve a complete pathologic response) may require an entirely different treatment plan depending upon the location and extent of the lesion's return.

Financial Impact of Breast Cancer

The financial impact of breast cancer can vary greatly, depending on several factors. These include the stage of breast cancer; the type (s) of treatment required; the quality of hospital facilities; and the qualifications of the physician(s) delivering the treatment(s). Earlier stages of breast cancer will typically have lower associated costs for treatment than later stages of breast cancer.

Costs associated with breast cancer vary greatly by geographical region. In certain countries, the cost of breast cancer may be significantly lower than in other countries, but care and treatment may be of higher quality than that offered in the country in which the patient resides. This difference in treatment cost is an important consideration for many patients considering treatment options outside their home country.

Breast cancer continues to be one of the most significant diseases in the world. A considerable number of women will experience breast cancer at some point in their lives. Breast cancer will represent a significant percentage of diagnoses of breast cancer globally. Differences exist between countries and populations with regard to the percentage of women diagnosed with breast cancer; however, the underlying message is clear: early diagnosis, awareness, and timely access to treatment will aid in improving survival rates.

Cancer Awareness Month reminds us how important education, screening, and support can be in making a positive impact on all those affected by breast cancer. By promoting awareness and supporting proactive health-care practices in our communities, we can minimise the impact of breast cancer and support those affected by it.