Breast cancer is a reality

RSSA and Breast Imaging Society of South Africa (Bissa), a sub group of the RSSA, stresses that regular mammograms and breast examination can possibly save a life.

“An early diagnosis gives the cancer patient a higher chance of complete cure and less extensive surgery,” says Dr Sheldon Godinho, president of RSSA.

Current statistics show that one in 29 South African women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Of all the cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer South African women may get.

Breast cancer consists of more than 50% of all cancer diagnoses in women.

Mammography and breast MRI are the only recognised imaging screening tools to detect breast cancer.

Modern mammography has a small radiation dose and is safe to use by anyone.

There is also no evidence that mammography itself can cause breast cancer or that the radiation presents any danger to any other part of the body or the thyroid gland.

“We encourage all women to go for regular mammography from the age of 40, regardless of whether they have symptoms or have an abnormality.

“Preventative care is the key objective,” stresses Godinho.

“We also encourage all women to regularly check their breasts for irregularities and have a clinical breast examination by a doctor or gynaecologist at least once a year,” he says.

Godinho says every woman is potentially at risk of getting breast cancer.

There are factors that would put women in a higher risk category.

These risk factors include:

• Age – the risk of developing breast cancer increases as you are getting older. About one out of eight invasive breast cancers are found in women younger than 45, while about two of three invasive breast cancers are found in women aged 55 or older.

• Family history – breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. Having one relative like a mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer approximately doubles a woman’s risk.

• Personal history – a woman with cancer in one breast has a three to four times increased risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast. This is different from a recurrence of the first cancer.

• Dense breast tissue -women with denser breast tissue, as seen on a mammogram, have more glandular tissue and less fatty tissue and have a higher risk of breast cancer. Unfortunately, dense breast tissue can also make it harder for doctors to spot problems on mammograms.

• Overweight or obese women – research has shown that being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast and other cancers. A larger study suggests that overweight and obese women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer have a higher risk of the cancer coming back and are less likely to survive the disease.

• Lifestyle factors – excessive alcohol use, little to no physical activity, smoking and diets high in saturated fats increase the risk of breast cancer.

Godinho suggests that women with a higher risk should, in addition to mammography, consider annual breast MRI studies, which is more sensitive than mammography in the diagnosis of early breast cancer.