Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Early detection saves lives

Breast cancer, two words that no one wants to hear. Most of us know someone who has been touched by the disease, especially when considering that breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst South African women. However, a diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence and early detection can save your life. There are many myths about breast cancer, and sometimes it’s hard to discern which are true and which aren’t. Let’s bust a few myths about breast cancer and uncover the good news.

I am too young to get breast cancer - Did you know many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are in fact under the age of 40?

Men can’t get breast cancer - 1 in 922 men have a lifetime risk of breast cancer. That’s still a pretty high number.

Alcohol is not linked to breast cancer - Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of breast cancer.

I can only get breast cancer if someone in my family has had cancer - All women are at risk, regardless of your family medical history.

I have never had children, so I can’t get breast cancer - Women who have never had children, or only had them after 30, have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Now that the myths are out the way, let’s discuss what the warning signs are and how you can reduce the risk of breast cancer.

What are the warning signs? Should you notice any of the following, make an appointment with your Healthcare Professional to get it checked. It may be nothing, but there’s no harm in being cautious.

• Puckering of the skin of the breast.
• A lump in the breast or armpit.
• A change in the skin around the nipple or nipple discharge.
• Dimpling of the nipple or nipple retraction.
• An unusual increase in the size of one breast.
• One breast unusually lower than the other or your nipples at different levels.
• An enlargement of the glands.
• An unusual swelling in the armpit.

So, what’s the good news? Breast cancer treatments keep getting better and better, and we now know more than ever about the ways to lower the risk of this disease. By living a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating healthy and exercising, doing monthly breast self-examinations and going for regular screenings, you can empower yourself and make sure your breast cancer risk is as low as possible.

Remember, the best protection is early detection.