Breast Awareness and Breast

Breast Awareness and Breast Cancer Screening

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL CANCER REGISTRY, BREAST CANCER IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER IN SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN, ACCOUNTING FOR 21.78% OF ALL FEMALE CANCERS.

The average lifetime risk tissue may vary in consisfurther evaluation by a of developing breast tency, depending on one’s qualified clinician. cancer is 1 in 27, with the age and the stage of the Breast screening incidence of the disease menstrual cycle. In young In South Africa, image shown to be increasing over women the breast glandular guided screening for breast the years. Increasing age tissue is generally lumpy cancer is carried out with remains the largest single and more pronounced in mammography, performed risk factor for the developthe upper outer region of annually from 40 years ment of the disease. Despite the breast. Around the time of age. Mammography is this, cancer diagnosis in of one’s period, the breasts essential to detect signs of younger women is becommay feel fuller, tender or breast cancer that may not ing more frequent, with lumpy. As hormone levels be palpable (i.e. clinically studies showing the disease fall during and after the occult disease). In patients to be more aggressive and menopause, the breasts with dense breast tissue, carrying a poorer prognosis may change size, lose their the sensitivity of mamin younger patients. firmness and feel softer. mography is reduced and

Given this, the need for Source www.breastcantherefore supplementaimproved breast awarecer.org.au tion with ultrasound is ness, regular breast selfWhen checking one’s performed. In high risk examinations and routine breasts, the following patients, in addition to image guided screening is changes should be noted mammography, screening of utmost importance. Early and further assessed: for breast cancer may be diagnosis of breast cancer 1. Change in size or shape performed with MRI. offers more treatment of the breast Breast cancer screenoptions as well as a better 2. Breast lump ing ultimately requires a prognosis and improved 3. Skin changes such as personalised approach long-term survival rates. puckering or dimpling best suited to the individ

Being breast aware: 4. Redness or rash on the ual’s age, cancer risk and

Being breast aware skin or nipple breast density. means getting to know how 5. Change in the appearone’s breasts look and feel, ance of the nipple For more information and to book an what is considered normal 6. Nipple discharge appointment, please contact ‘JUST FOR for that individual, which in 7. Persistent pain in the WOMEN’ Digital Mammography Centre - turn makes one more conbreast or armpit Lake, Smit and Partners on 087 310 4990 fident about noticing any 8. Swelling in the armpit or find us on social media; unusual changes that might or collarbone Instagram: @lakesmitpartners be a symptom of breast Any of these changes Facebook: @justforwomendurban cancer. Normal breast mentioned above requires Website: www.lakesmit.co.za