Understanding the impact of cancer in Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Many women around the world have experienced the impact of breast cancer directly or through family and friends.

Dr Bridget Portia Mashaba [MBChB (Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University), Dip Int MED] of Rob Ferreira Hospital’s internal medicine department said a person’s life changes when diagnosed with any type of cancer.

“When one is diagnosed with cancer, it affects both the patient and their family. A diagnoses is followed by so much mental breakdowns and the patient starts to live in fear with the thought that any day might be their last. It is also hard on the family having to witness a member who was once fit and strong battle with a disease unseen with a naked eye.”

Mashaba said from witnessing people go through the challenges of living with and some succumbing to cancer, one learns it is of paramount importance to engage, educate and raise awareness. “We need to give insight of what cancer does to the patient and the challenges of treatments with its side effects, especially chemotherapy, and also the changes in every stage at which the cancer advances in the body. With advancing of screening and detection at early stages, this is impactful for getting a fighting chance in surviving cancer.”

ALSO READ: Breast cancer and depression

Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumours. If not detected, the tumours can spread throughout the body and become deadly.

“It begins inside the breast ducts and is not life-threatening in the early stages. The female gender is at the highest risk as approximately 99% of breast cancers occur in women, while 0.5 % occurs in men. Other factors increasing the risk of breast cancer include increasing age, over and above the age of 40, obesity, harmful use of alcohol and tobacco, radiation exposure, and reproductive history such as menstrual cycles, the age at the first pregnancy and post-menopausal hormone therapy.”

Mashaba said family history of breast cancer increases the risk of breast cancer. “Certain penetrance of gene mutations greatly increases breast cancer risk with the most dominant being mutation of BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB-2. Women found to have these major genes may consider risk reduction such as surgical removal of either breasts or chemoprevention strategies,” she said.

Once a woman notices a painful breast lump, they should be on the lookout for more symptoms such as skin changes around the breast and a change in size.

ALSO READ: CANSA Lowveld’s Shades of Pink Breast Cancer Awareness and screening event

“Look out for colour changes, especially around the areola [nipple], discharge from nipple and body weight loss. In seeking help, a patient will have to undergo a mammogram or biopsy to detect if it is malignant or not. However, one cannot be initiated on any form of treatment until diagnosis is certain.”

Mashaba urged the public to embrace this month with the colour pink to raise awareness on cancer in Mpumalanga. “Wear your pink ribbon with pride to support the communities in the fight to prevent cancer. Let’s be communities who are well knowledgeable with health challenges and keeping healthy lifestyle habits that contribute towards fighting advanced mutations in our bodies.”