Breast Cancer Overview: Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Preventive Tests

Breast cancer is one of the most common and killer cancers in women. The good news is: it can be prevented and also cured when it is still in its early stages.

What can put you at risk for breast cancer? 
Having any or multiple of these risk factors does not mean that you will surely develop breast cancer. Your risk factors are dependent on your lifestyle so they can change over time - that's why we alway emphasize on forming healthy habits.

• Ageing
• Gender
• Family health history 
• Certain genetic mutations
• Personal history of cancers
• Dense breast tissue
• Addiction to alcohol 
• Being obese

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer 

• Swelling of whole or a part of the breast 
• Lump formations
• Skin dimpling 
• Pain in the breast or nipple 
• Nipple turning inward
• Unusual discharge from the nipple 
• Swollen lymph nodes near the underarm or collarbone

Be breast aware in 3 steps: T.L.C.
T- TOUCH Your Breasts - do you feel anything unusual?

• Do you feel a lump in the breast, upper chest or armpits?
• Is there an unusual thickening of the breast tissue that doesn’t go away?
• Is there any unusual pain?

L- LOOK For Changes - are there any changes in shape or texture?

• Any change in the texture of breast skin such as puckering or dimpling?
• Any change in colour? Like redness?
• What about the direction of the nipple? Has it become inverted (turned in)?
• Any unusual discharge from one or both nipples?
• Any rash or crusting of the nipple or surrounding area?

C- CHECK Any Unusual Findings With Your Doctor
Is anything unusual? If you find so, get it checked out by your doctor at the earliest.

Screening and diagnostics tests for breast cancer
It takes a long time for the cancer to start, develop and reach a full blown stage - about 8 to 10 years. During this growth process, breast cancer goes through various stages. Stages of breast cancer are classified as per the extent of spread in the body. The higher the stage of cancer, the more difficult the treatment is. Therefore it is imperative to find out the cancer at an early stage.

Various tests can be used for breast cancer screening and diagnosis. These tests and scans give information about the progress of the disease. Here are some of them that you can add in your annual full body health checkup. 

• Mammogram
• Breast ultrasound
• Breast MRI
• Imaging tests

Breast cancer treatment is the easiest, non-invasive, cost effective and life saving, when the cancer is detected in the early stages (1 or 2). Regular complete body health check up plays an important role in early detection. Book your appointment for routine checkup and breast examination now and correct your lifestyle to prevent breast cancer.