8TV Living Delight Video
Breast Cancer Myth
Palpable lump
​
Changes in breast size or shape
​
Extensive swelling of the breast
​
Spontaneous nipple discharge (non-lactate, especially bloody or serous)
​
Orange peel light skin on the breast
​
Nipple thickening or irritation, which may be accompanied by
itching, burning, or lindrical rash (Paget's disease)
​
Dimple signs, thickening or wrinkles on one breast surface
​
Recent nipple retraction
​
Swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, or less frequently clavicular
region
​
Risk Factors
-
Gender - women are far more likely to develop breast cancer than men
​​
-
The older you are, the higher your chances of getting breast cancer. In Malaysia, the majority of cases occur between the ages of 30 and 60 and half of the patients are younger than 50.
​​
-
If a family member (mother, sister, or daughter) develops breast cancer, the risk of breast cancer is 2 to 3 times higher than ordinary people.
​​
-
Those who have menstruation earlier (before the age of 12), late menopause (later than the age of 55), have not given birth, or have a first child after 30 years old
​​
-
Long-term contraceptive pills usage
​​
-
Post menopausal hormonal replacement therapy usage more than 5 years
​​
-
Previous exposure to radiation during puberty causes a higher chance of getting breast cancer.
​​
-
Woman who has high breast density on mammogram has increased risk of breast cancer
​​
-
About 10% of breast cancers are genetically related. The three most commonly associated genes are BRCA 1, BRCA 2 and P53.
​​
-
90% of breast cancer patients have no family history and are caused by the interaction of acquired environment and genetic mutations in body cells.
​​
-
​Lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and alcohol drinking will increase the risk of breast cancer.
​
We need to be vigilant and get screened.
How to prevent
Primary prevention
Avoid or reduce smoking, drinking
Avoid high fat diet
Consume more fibrous food
Avoid being overweight
Exercise regularly, at least three times a week for at least
30 minutes each
Secondary prevention
​​
Regular monthly breast self examination
Recommended to have mammogram screening when 40 years old & above
How to diagnose
After a self-examination, if a lump is found, please seek medical attention by seeing a breast surgeon/general surgeon.
​
​Triple assessment (Clinical Assessment,Imaging
,Histopathology) should be performed.
​
Don't delay medical treatment because it does not hurt.
Types of treatment
-
LOCAL
- Surgery​
- Radiotherapy
​​
-
SYSTEMIC
- Hormonal Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted Therapy
​
Surgery is usually the first step in treatment because the cancer must be completely removed. Radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapy may be administered as adjuvant treatment depending on the stage of cancer and cancer subtypes. These adjuvant therapies vary from case to case, and the ultimate goal is to minimize the chance of breast cancer recurrence and metastasis.
​