Breast Cancer 101
All You Need To Know About Breast Cancer
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we want to remind you to take care of those boobies!
Your breasts make up a part of your sexual anatomy. Regardless of gender or boob size, breast cancer is an illness that can affect ANYONE. That’s right, men’s boobs exist, I can vouch for my dad’s saggy ones! Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer among women in Singapore, ladies, please start planning your health screenings.
Learn About Breast Cancer in 30 seconds:
Breast cancer happens when cancer cells are found in your breasts
Only 1 in 10 lumps found in your breasts are actually cancerous
It is treatable, and chances of survival are very high when detected early
You can do a monthly breast examination by yourself to check for symptoms of breast cancer (read till the end to learn how!)
A mammogram can help you detect early signs of breast cancer (recommended for older women)
Both males and females are at risk!
What is Breast Cancer?
Cancer happens when a genetic mutation occurs in the genes of a normal cell in your body. The cell no longer acts normally and an accumulation of these “errors” as the gene changes results in cancer cells.
Breast cancer is when cancer cells are found in your breasts. Depending on each individual case, available treatments include Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and or surgery.
Stage 0 -1
Determined that the “lump” you find is a malignant (cancerous) tumour
Cells are localised, have not spread to the outside of your breast ducts
Very treatable at this stage, survival rate is a 99.5% 5-year survival rate
Stage 2
Cancer is growing in size but contained in breast, may involve spreading (metastasis) to the lymph nodes under your arms on the same side
Stage 3
Cancer spread to region of tumor, lymph nodes (located under arms and on chest walls) and muscle tissue
Stage 4
Cancer spread to other organs eg. Brain, bones, lungs, liver
Who Is at Risk?
Everyone.
The Female Sex:
More than 25% of all cancers diagnosed in women are breast cancers. In Singapore, about 1,927 women were diagnosed between 2011 and 2015.
Female hormones from the monthly cycle contributes to breast cancer. Therefore women at higher risk are those who have:
A longer length of fertile period (from your very first period to menopause)
An older age of completing first pregnancy
Women who have never been pregnant
Family history of breast and or ovarian cancer
The Male Sex:
Though less at risk, Men often DO NOT consider the possibility of a lump in their breast to be breast cancer, delaying the seeking of treatment, resulting in more serious, fatal cases
Males hormones, high levels of estrogen
A family history of breast and ovarian cancer
Preventing Breast Cancer
While self-examination and regular checks aren’t exactly “prevention”, it helps you discover early stage symptoms so that you can begin treatment quickly, significantly increasing the chances of survival!
It is important to note that only 1 in 10 lumps are cancerous. The rest are benign disorders (e.g. cysts) and not cancer. Normal changes associated with the menstrual cycle can also make breasts feel lumpy!
Symptoms to look out for:
Discharge from one or both nipples
Peeling or flaking of one or both nipples
Unusual lump in your breasts
Swelling or irritation
Pain to touch
These are some things you can do:
1. Breast Self-Examination
A rule of thumb is to do this once a month, preferably a week after your menstruation starts. Checking regularly helps you get familiar with your breasts so you can notice any changes swiftly! Here are some guiding steps:
In front of a mirror with your arms by your side then on your hips, check if your breasts are not swelling and have no visible distortion
2. Do the same while raising your arms!
3. Also check if there are signs of fluids coming out from your nipples
4. While lying down, with your right hand under your head, use your left hand to feel for changes in your breasts and apply pressure to feel your breast tissue. To check for lumps, starting from the hollow of your arm (armpit!), move towards your breast and chest, making circular motions to feel for lumps. Then, switch to the left side.
5. Do the same while standing too.
2. Mammograms
(For older women. Read this so your Mummies, Aunties and Friends know!)
Regular Mammograms help detect breast cancer before lumps can be felt. Early stages of cancer do not have any symptoms! Based on guidelines by the Ministry of Health, Mammograms are recommended to be done once every two years, and subsidized for women over 50. Mammograms may not be suitable in younger women as their breast tissues are more fibrous and harder to detect.
Locations and Cost:
At “Screen for Life” Centres (Found here), Singapore Cancer Society has funding assistance
Singaporeans: $25
PR: $50
Participating breast screening centres (Found here), the Singapore Cancer Society funding assistance offsets it by $25
*Terms and conditions for the funding includes being above 49 years old. Read more here.
Where to seek help?
Go to a doctor
Approach your GP or Polyclinic so they can assess the likelihood of the lump or symptoms you have found being cancerous. From there on, you will be advised or referred to see a specialist. This is often the more affordable way than to go to a specialist straight, as there will be subsidies for your specialist consultation.
If you’re feeling anxious, do get your family members or friends to go to the doctors with you. You don’t have to be shy in seeking help for your own health!
If you need mental support, do speak to your friends and family. Otherwise, you can look for a counsellor or therapist. Immediate help can be reached at these hotlines:
Institute Of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24-hour hotline)
Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800
In case you wanted to know about the nitty-gritty:
Image Source: National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia
Medically fact-checked by:
MBBS (Singapore), MRCP (UK), Cert. Men's Health
Dr Grace is one of the Resident Doctor in DTAP Clinic Robertson branch. She has a special interest in Women's Sexual Health, Men's Health and STD & HIV related medical issues.
Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/what-is-breast-cancer.htm
https://www.nccs.com.sg/patient-care/cancer-types/what-is-cancer
https://www.nccs.com.sg/patient-care/conditions-treatments/breast-cancer
