Breast Cancer Awareness
What is Breast Cancer?
Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of cells that can harm the body by interfering with organ function or spreading to other areas.
Breast cancer starts in the breast and can spread to:
- Lymph nodes (armpit or neck)
- Other organs like lungs, bones, and brain
When it spreads, it's called metastatic breast cancer — not to be confused with lung cancer, which originates in the lungs.
How Common is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women (excluding skin cancer):
- Lifetime risk: 1 in 8 women (~13%)
- Second leading cause of cancer-related death in women (after lung cancer)
- Thanks to early detection and treatment, only 1 in 38 women (~2.6%) die from it.
In men, it's rare:
- <1% of male cancers
- <0.1% of male cancer deaths
Determining Your Risk
Screening is key to catching breast cancer early!
Average Risk:
- No personal/family history
- No genetic mutations
- No chest radiation before age 30
High Risk:
- Previous breast cancer
- Family history (especially early onset)
- Known mutations (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2)
- Early chest irradiation
- Genetic testing is available in South Africa — always consult a genetic counsellor.
Warning Signs
Look out for:
- Lump in breast or armpit
- Swelling, redness, skin dimpling or ulcers
- Nipple retraction or discharge (especially bloody)
These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions — always consult your doctor!
Should I Get a Mammogram?
Yes! Mammograms and breast sonar help detect cancer early.
Screening frequency depends on your risk level — discuss with your doctor or genetic counsellor.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is confirmed by a pathologist using a biopsy:
-Fine needle aspiration (examines individual cells)
-Core biopsy (larger tissue samples)
Pathology reports include:
- Cancer type
- Invasion extent
- Grade (1–3)
- Blood vessel involvement
- Hormone receptor status (estrogen, progesterone, HER2/neu)
Managing Breast Cancer
A multidisciplinary team (surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, radiologists) determines:
- Tumour stage
- Spread to lymph nodes or other organs
Treatment Options
Treatment is customised and may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
Breast-conserving and reconstructive surgery are increasingly common.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (before surgery) is used for aggressive cancers.
Molecular tests (e.g., MammaPrint, Oncotype DX) help decide if chemotherapy is needed.
Summary
Breast cancer is common but treatable — awareness and early detection save lives!
Know your risk, watch for warning signs, and consult your doctor or genetic counsellor.
Regular mammograms and sonars are essential.
Diagnosis is made via biopsy, and treatment is best managed by a team of specialists.