It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, and you’re never too young or too ‘low-risk’ to pay attention to the facts. 
Here are 9 facts about the disease that could save your life.
- Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among South African women, with one in 31 women diagnosed in her lifetime. This statistic spans all race groups.
- The second-most common cancer among South African women is cervical cancer. It’s also one of the deadliest, but it is easily preventable – here’s how.
- The older you are, the greater risk you face when it comes to developing breast cancer. However, the disease can and does strike women under 40.
- You should examine your breasts every month, and go for regular mammograms from the age of 40. Here’s how to do a breast self-examination.
- When detected early, breast cancer has up to 90% chance of successful treatment.
- One of the greatest risk factors for breast cancer is obesity, especially after menopause. Other risk factors include being a smoker, not being physically active, consuming alcohol, and age, among others.
- Women who have breastfed, especially for longer than a year, may face a lower breast cancer risk than women who haven’t ever breastfed, studies have found.
- A high-fat diet and one that is very dense in animal protein (especially red meat) can increase your risk of breast cancer. Fill your diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, and healthy proteins like fish and seafood, white-meat poultry, eggs and legumes.
- Studies suggest that women who suffer from stress are twice as likely to develop breast cancer than those who don’t experience stress.
The designation of October as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” in South Africa reflects a nationwide drive by public and private healthcare structures to raise awareness of this debilitating disease across all races and class structures.
Myth vs Fact
I am too young to get breast cancer
Many women who are under 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer
It doesn’t matter if I’m overweight and don’t exercise
Being overweight and inactive add to the risk, especially after menopause
Alcohol & smoking is not linked to breast cancer
Alcohol and tobacco use increases the risk of breast cancer
Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk.
All women are at risk, but family history increases the risk.
I have never had children, so I can’t get breast cancer
Women who had never had children, or only had them after 30, have increased risk.
Early detection of the condition can lead to effective treatment and a positive prognosis. About 90% of patients survive for many years after diagnosis when breast cancer is detected at the early stages.
Source: www.cansa.org.za Visit the website for more information
