• Feeling lumpy on the underarms?
• Swelling and irritation on the breast?
• You might want to pay attention because those are the symptoms towards breast cancer, even guys can get breast cancer!
• It is important to take safety precautions before that age to prevent any disease!

What is breast Cancer ?

• Breast Cancer occurs when cells grow out on control.
• It is also the most common cancer among Singaporean Women.
• There are many types of breast cancer.
• The type of breast cancer depends on which cell turn into cancer.
• It can start from one breast or both.
• Men can also get breast cancer!

Types of breast cancer

• Most breast cancers are carcinomas.
• The most common is ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) and adenocarcinomas.

General symptoms of breast cancer

• Early stages of breast cancer may not show any symptoms; hence mammograms are important because they’re able to detect the cancer cells.
• Lump in your breast or underarm that doesn’t go away
• Swelling in your armpit or near your collarbone
• Pain and irritation/persistent rash on the breast.
• Unusual nipple discharge. Clear, bloody, other colours
• Changes in your nipple (pulls inwards, is dimpled, burns, itches, develop sores)

Risk factors

• Risk Factors you cannot change
• Age. As you age, the risk of getting breast cancer also increases. Most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50
• Family history of breast cancer. If your family has a history of suffering from breast cancer, you are likely to exposed to higher risks.
• Genetic Mutation. Women who have inherited certain genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 are at higher risks of breast or ovarian cancer.
• About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are caused by hereditary and passed from parents to child

Effective ways to decrease risk (factors you can change)

• Be more physically active!
• Regular exercise and keeping a healthy weight have proven to lower the risks of breast cancer.
• Limit alcohol intake. The general recommendation is no more than 1 alcoholic drink a day. 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.
• Getting body checks regularly. It is good to always keep your body condition in check which enables for any early identification of diseases for better treatment
• Quit smoking. Smoking causes numerous types of diseases and breast cancer is one of them. Researched shows that there is a link between high risk of breast cancer for those who are exposed to first and secondhand smoking.

Can breast cancer be cured?

• Breast cancer patients can be cured when treated early.
• Hence, it is vital that you always go for clinical check-ups to make sure your body is healthy and is able to detect early stages of any disease in any event.
• However, there are no “natural” ways from getting cured.
• The cancer cells can be removed surgically, via chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy or radiation therapy.

https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/five-ways-to-reduce-your-breast-cancer-risk.html
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/prevention.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/treatment.htm
https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/understanding-breast-cancer-symptoms
https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/20/breastcancer