The month of October has been declared the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Flagging off the month, the American Cancer Society said that this year, about 270,000 American women would be diagnosed with breast cancer, 40,410 of which would succumb to it.
At the occasion, several medical bodies and experts sought to bust (pun unintended) the myths surrounding the malignant disease and creating awareness about the ways to avoid breast cancer.
High-risk groups
The biggest risk factor for breast cancer is age, with women above the age of 50 facing at the greatest danger. Around 77 per cent of all breast cancer cases involve women who are 50 years old and above.
Besides this, several other factors put women into the high-risk category. Heredity plays a big role in breast cancer and if a woman's mother or sibling has developed the disease, her chances increase massively. Women who undergo treatment for other types of cancers are also at a heightened risk. Those who achieved menarche before the age of 12 years and those who have no children or had the first child at a late age are others who should watch out for this kind of malignancy. Several studies have also shown that prolonged usage of hormone replacement therapy drugs enhances the chances of developing breast cancer. Factors like lack of exercise, smoking, excess weight, excessive intake of alcohol and a high-fat diet can also up the risk manifold.
Myths and truth
Varied results of studies and surveys have resulted in many myths about the disease coming into play. Here are some of the common myths and the truth behind them:
Breast cancer affects only those who have a family history: Even though a family history of cancer increases the risk of a woman developing breast cancer, it can afflict those without such a family history too. A family history ups the chances only by 10 per cent. The chances of a woman developing breast cancer depend mainly on the factors mentioned above.
Breast cancer always results in mastectomy: This is by far the biggest myth surrounding breast cancer. Mastectomy is generally the last hope for those whose cancer has spread to the entire breast. If an early diagnosis is made, one can be cured by chemotherapy and radiation therapy without the removal of the affected breast.
Regular mammograms can prevent cancer: Mammograms are mere diagnostic tools and they detect any likely tumor early on so treatment becomes easy. Ideally, a woman should begin mammograms by the age of 40 but given the stress, pollution and carcinogens facing everyday life these days, one can start taking them a few years earlier too.
Prevention
A little awareness and lifestyle changes can go a long way in preventing breast cancer. Some of the preventive measures include:
Cutting down on smoking or exposure to pollution: Tobacco is known to be a strong factor driving cancer. In addition, exposure to excessive levels of air and water pollution can lead to tumors as well. If you are a smoker, try to quit the habit to minimize risk.
Dietary changes: Incorporating fibers into your diet and cutting down on red meats goes a long way in lowering the risk. Also, try to go easy on saturated fats and up your intake of fruits and leafy vegetables. Intake of alcohol should be restricted to a couple of drinks a week.
Exercise and stress relief: Exercise for at least three to four hours a week and shed any excess baggage you might be carrying. Fast paced executives should learn to de-stress through meditation and yoga, as stress is also one of the factors that increase the risk.
