All you need to know about breast cancer
A study has shown that three-dimensional imaging finds more breast cancers than traditional mammography alone. The technique, called 3D mammography, or tomosynthesis, was approved by US regulators in 2011 after initial research showed it could reduce false-positives and improve cancer detection. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
How to perform a breast self-exam
A breast self-examination (BSE) is a way of checking for any changes in the breast such as lumps, thickening or change in appearance, usually by feeling and looking at your breasts.
Knowing how your breasts normally feel and look can help you spot any changes and consult a doctor in good time.
When breast cancer is detected early, the chances of surviving the illness are greatly improved. However, you should not panic because not all changes in the breast occur because of cancer. When doing a BSE, look at your breasts and feel each breast as well as the armpit.
Changes to look out for during a BSE include a new lump or bumpy area in one breast or armpit that is not the same as the same area on the other side, tenderness, discharge or bleeding from the nipple, itchy or scaly skin on the breast, a rash, redness, unexplained shrinking or swelling, persistent pain in one spot, and a change in the position of the nipple.
Women who are still menstruating should perform a BSE a few days after their period when the breasts are less tender and lumpy. Meanwhile, post-menopausal women should perform a BSE on a fixed date day every month.
How to perform a BSE
- Stand in front of a large mirror with your breasts bare. Look at your breasts. With your arms relaxed by your sides, look for any changes in your breasts. Inspect for any discolouration, depressions, sores, change of nipple position and shape of the breast (most women have uneven-sized breasts).
- Lift you arms above your head and look at the way your breasts move; normally, they should move smoothly and easily.
- Lie down and place a small pillow under your right shoulder. Put your right hand behind your head. Place your left hand on the upper part of the right breast with fingers together and flat. You can use body lotion to make the exam easier.
- Start from the end near the armpit and move your hand around the entire breast in a circular motion while keeping the fingers flat and in constant contact with your breast. Use the flat part of the fingers to press against each area of the breast.
- Inspect each area three times, first pressing lightly, then firmly, and then deeper. You will feel the ribs but this is normal.
- Remember, you are looking for abnormal and/or painful lumps. Lumps mightfeel hard and irregular and they might or might not be painful.
- Hold the nipple between your fingertips. Press hard and check for any abnormal discharge, blood, or pus. A little clear fluid is normal but there should be no milk unless you are breastfeeding or pregnant.
- Using the right hand, repeat the same procedure to inspect the left breast.
- If you notice any abnormalities, see a doctor immediately for thorough investigations.
Remember that changes in the breast can occur for various reasons, and most of them are not serious. Many women have breast lumps, and nine out of 10 of these lumps are not cancerous. But if you feel or find any change in your breast that is not normal, it is best to see your doctor as soon as possible. The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful treatment.
Breast cancer is among the leading cancers in women globally. According to Kenya cancer statistics, breast cancer affects 34 out of every 100,000 women.
Therefore, regardless of who you are or where you live, it is important that you understand and equip yourself with information about breast cancer.
But of utmost importance to know is that being diagnosed with breast cancer does not mean a death sentence.
Dear Doc,
I occasionally experience pain in my left breast close to the nipple. This happens at any time and not just close to my periods. Should I be alarmed?
Concerned
Dear concerned,
Women occasionally experience pain or discomfort in their breasts. This can occur for a number of reasons, such as changes in hormonal levels.
If you frequently check your breasts and do not feel any swellings or abnormal changes, then you need not worry.
However, if you are very worried, you can have a doctor examine you to put your mind at ease. The sooner you get checked, the earlier you will be able to enjoy peace of mind.
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Dear Doc,
I am 25 years old and a mother of a two-year-old baby who is still breastfeeding. I would like to know if this can lead to breast cancer? Should I continue breastfeeding?
Nyoks
Dear Nyoks,
Thank you for asking this question. Breastfeeding has often been included among the protective factors against breast cancer. However, the studies done on breastfeeding and breast cancer have shown inconsistent findings.
Some research has shown that breastfeeding can lower breast cancer risk, especially if a woman breastfeeds for longer than a year, even though the protection is small.
Therefore, there is no medical reason why you should not continue breastfeeding. Remember, breast feeding has many other health advantages for mothers, and even more for babies.
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Dear Doc,
Apart from a physical examination, how else can one check for breast cancer?
Getrude
Dear Getrude,
After your medical history is taken and a physical examination done, the following tests can be done:
Mammography: This is a type of X-ray specifically for breasts. Mammography is useful in detecting early changes in the breast, when it might not be easy for you to feel a lump or pain. When correctly done, a mammography can pick up to 90 per cent of cancers.
Ultrasound: An ultrasound scan takes a picture of the inside of the body. It can be helpful in analysing a lump that has been seen on a mammography.
Core needle biopsy (CNB) or fine needle aspiration (FNA): In this procedure, a needle is used to draw cells from the lump in the breast. The cells are then sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope to establish if they are cancerous.
Biopsy: During a biopsy, a surgeon removes a piece of or the whole lump in the breast. It is then examined in a laboratory to establish whether or not it is cancerous.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): it can be used in addition to mammography occasionally and for specific reasons.
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Dear Doc,
I would like to know the main causes of breast cancer, especially the types of foods or any practice that I should avoid.
Anita
Dear Anita,
It is not known exactly what causes breast, but there are severa factors linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
The major risk factors include a history of breast cancer in the family, for example a mother; lifestyle, for instance excessive consumption of alcohol; tobacco smoke, obesity and a diet made up of refined carbohydrates and animal fats.
Breast cancer is also common among women over 40. Hormones, for example prolonged exposure to reproductive hormones as happens in women who start their periods early, delayed menopause or getting pregnant late in life can contribute to breast cancer.
But having a risk factor does not mean you will develop cancer; some women have risk factors but never develop cancer. While some risk factors such as smoking can be avoided, others, such as family history and hormones, cannot.
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Dear Doc,
During one of my routine check-ups, my doctor mentioned “breast calcification”. Kindly explain what this means.
Pinky
Dear Pinky,
Thanks for asking this question. Breast calcification is where there are calcium salt deposits within the breast tissue.
They appear as white spots on a mammogram and are normally so tiny that they cannot be felt during breast self-examination.
Calcification is normally a sign of changes in the breast that are not related to cancer. However, certain patterns of calcification might indicate the possibility of cancer developing there.
If the results of a mammogram show calcification, the doctor might recommend further tests to ascertain whether it is due to cancer. A biopsy might also be recommended for the part of the breast where the calcification is.
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