Breast cancer is a disease where the cells in the breast grows out of control. There are different types of breast cancer depending on which cells in the breast turn into cancer.
Breast cancer can start in different parts of the breast. A breast is made up of 3 main parts:-
1. Lobules – Glands that produces milk.
2. Ducts – Tubes that carry milk to the nipple.
3. Connective tissue – Consists of fibrous and fatty tissues that surrounds and holds everything together.
Most of the breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules. It can spread out from the breast via blood vessels and lymph vessels. When breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is known as – to have metastasized. (Source: cdc.gov)
Myths vs Facts of Breast Cancer
Most people may not be able to differentiate between myth and fact when it comes to breast cancer. For example who are more prone to it and the reason, or what treatments entail, unless they have breast cancer in their own lives or are close to someone who has breast cancer. Although breast cancer is one of the most common and often discussed cancers, there are still a lot of myths floating around.
Myth #1: Breast cancer only happens to middle-aged and older women.
False ! There are younger women who are and can be diagnosed with breast cancer, same goes to men.
It is definitely true that the main risk factors for developing this illness is being a female and growing older. Based on statistics, as for 2017,
- 4% of invasive breast cancers were diagnosed in women under age 40;
- 23% were diagnosed in women in their 50s; and
- 27% in women ages 60 to 69.
4% might seem like a small number, but it isn’t zero, meaning younger people can get it too. This percentage means that 1/25 invasive breast cancer cases occurred in women under 40. Women of all ages should pay attention to their breasts by performing self-examination, and reporting to their doctor if there is any unusual changes — and insist that breast cancer be ruled out if there’s a concerning symptom. Even some doctors believes in myth that younger women don’t get breast cancer. Women with family history of breast cancer, especially cancers diagnosed in relatives before the age of 40 should do screenings as soon as possible.
Although breast cancer is very rare in men, it can happen. Many often think that men can’t get breast cancer because they don’t have breasts — but don’t forget, men have breast tissue. Breast cancer in male makes up less than 1% of all breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. In Year 2019, about 2,670 men are expected to be diagnosed with the disease. Although is rare in male, it tends to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage because breast changes and lumps typically don’t lead men and their doctors to think that it is breast cancer. Therefore, it is important to check out changes in male breasts. (Source: breastcancer.org)
Myth #2: Women without a family history of breast cancer are not at risk.
False ! Most of the women diagnosed with breast cancer have no close relatives with this disease. Regardless of family history, you’re still at risk of getting breast cancer. The biggest risk factor is being a woman and growing older. Frequent screening is recommended. (Source: missionrmc.org)
Myth #3: Silicone breast implant increases your risk of getting breast cancer.
Silicone breast implants can cause formation of scar tissue in the breast, but several studies have found that they do not increase risk of breast cancer.
Myth #4: Breast cancer always causes a lump that can be felt.
Not true ! Breast cancer can sometimes not cause a lump, especially during early stage. This is a common misconception. Sometimes, people might use this as a reason to skip mammograms, thinking they’ll be able to feel any change that might indicate an issue. However, breast cancer doesn’t always cause a lump. By the time it does, it may be too late, the cancer might have spread beyond the breast into the lymph nodes. Although performing breast self-exams is certainly a good idea, but it cannot substitute a regular screening with mammography.
How frequent should you get your breast checked ?
Frequency of breast check
Breast cancer screening is the process of examining a woman’s breasts for cancer before any symptoms of the disease appear. The appropriate screening choices for each woman should be explained by the doctor. It is known as informed and shared decision-making when you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of screening and decide whether and when to have it with your healthcare professional. Breast cancer screening can help discover breast cancer early, when it is simpler to treat, even if it cannot prevent breast cancer. Discuss with your doctor the best breast cancer screening procedures for you as well as the recommended frequency for these procedures.
The below suggested screening frequency are for women who do not have symptoms and are not at high risk for developing breast cancer.
Women aged 40-44: No screening needed
When referring to a planned screening programme for:
The Guidelines Development Group (GDG) of the ECIBC advises against initiating mammography screening for asymptomatic women aged 40 to 44 with an average risk of breast cancer (conditional recommendation, moderate certainty of the evidence).
Women age 45 to 49: Screening every 2 or 3 years
In the context of an organised screening programme for:
- Non-symptomatic female
- Aged 45 to 49
- With an average risk of breast cancer
the ECIBC’s Guidelines Development Group (GDG) suggests:
mammography screening (conditional recommendation, moderate certainty of the evidence)
either triennial or biennial mammography over annual screening (conditional recommendation, very low certainty of the evidence)
Women age 50-69: screening every 2 years
Within the framework of a planned screening programme, for
- Non-symptomatic female
- Aged 50 to 69
- Having a typical breast cancer risk
The Guideline Development Group (GDG) of the ECIBC:
- encourages breast cancer screening (strong suggestion, fair degree of evidentiary confidence)
- advises against undergoing a yearly mammogram (high suggestion, extremely shaky proof)
- recommended performing a mammogram every two years (Conditional recommendation, low degree of evidentiary confidence)
Women age 70 to 74: Screening every 3 years
Within the framework of a planned screening programme, for
- Non-symptomatic female
- Age between 70 and 74
- Has a typical breast cancer risk
The Guideline Development Group (GDG) of the ECIBC:
- Recommends breast cancer screening (conditional recommendation, moderate certainty of the evidence)
- Advises against undergoing a yearly mammogram (strong recommendation, very low certainty of the evidence)
- Proposes performing a triennial mammogram (conditional recommendation, very low certainty of the evidence)
Knowing how your breasts feels and appears can help you identify symptoms like lumps, discomfort, or size changes that may be concerning. Changes discovered during a breast self-exam may be among them. Any changes detected should be mentioned to your physician or other healthcare professional. It has not been discovered that performing a breast self-exam or getting a clinical breast exam reduces the chance of dying from breast cancer. (Source: cdc.gov)
Check out what General Surgeon Dr. Soh has shared about breast cancer.
Useful Link:
Reference:
https://www.missionrmc.org/services/breast-care-center/breast-cancer-myths/
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm
https://www.breastcancer.org/facts-statistics/myths-vs-facts
