Today – October the first – marks the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Australia. Lead by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is all about raising money for research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer.
You can host your own fund raising event or join several organized events around Australia (and even the world – see the Ride for Research cycle trip in Cambodia!) to show your support for the cause. Certainly, with a goal to reach zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030, there is an admirable reason to don a pink ribbon and get involved.
To help raise awareness and shed some light on the diagnosis, treatment and causes of breast cancer, we bring you the latest information in breast cancer research, guide you through a self-examination to help in early detection, and outline some ways to reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Who does it affect?
Both men and women can get breast cancer, though it is much more common in women. Recent statistics have shown that one in eight women in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85, and by 2020 the number of new breast cancer cases among women is predicted to rise by around 20 percent.
But with this omnipresence has come overwhelming support for breast cancer awareness. The colour pink is now synonymous with breast cancer support, with everything from supermarket products to iconic Australian landmarks taking on a pink guise in support of breast cancer research.
Celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, Christina Applegate and Sheryl Crow who have suffered publicly from breast cancer use their fame to become ambassadors for the cause, putting their name to government initiatives and fundraising efforts.
What is breast cancer?
‘Breast cancer, like other cancers, occurs because of an interaction between the environment and a defective gene,’ explains German anti-ageing specialist Dr Michael Klentze. ‘Specifically, breast cancer occurs when a build up of genetic mutations in critical genes – those that control cell growth and division, or the repair of damaged DNA – allow cells to grow and divide uncontrollably to form a tumour. Breast cancer, like prostate cancer, is a hormone dependent cancer, which can develop under oestrogen influence.’
There is also a medical distinction made between early breast cancer and secondary breast cancer. Early breast cancer is cancer that is contained within the breast and may or may not have spread to the lymph nodes (located under the armpit). Secondary breast cancer is cancer that has spread outside the breast area. This distinction helps dictate the best treatment option.
Treatment
There are a number of factors that influence the selection of breast cancer treatment. According to Dr Klentze, these include the age and menopausal status of the patient, the stage of the disease and whether the tumour is aggressive or likely to spread. ‘Breast cancer is commonly treated by various combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy,’ he says.
Another influential factor is whether the tumour contains oestrogen receptors (ER+) or progesterone receptors (PR+). These receptors indicate if hormones are causing the cancer to grow bigger and there are specific hormone-blocking medications for each that can be used during treatment.
Women with breast cancer usually undergo a lumpectomy (the surgical removal of a cancerous nodule) or a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast/s) to excise the cancer from the breast, which can be followed by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.
The Angelina Jolie effect
Recent genetic research has provided some valuable information that can help identify whether a person is more susceptible to breast cancer in the first place, therefore increasing the chance of early detection.
More specifically, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are major genes related to hereditary breast cancer. Women (and men) who have inherited certain mutations in these genes have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and several other types of cancer during their lifetimes. This breakthrough means that people can now be tested for these particular genes – and those who carry them can be aware of their susceptibility and closely monitor their breasts for any suspicious changes.
Perhaps the most famous carrier of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation is actress Angelina Jolie. The news that Jolie – one of the world’s most glamorous women – had undergone a double mastectomy at the age of 37 stunned the world in 2013 and brought this very relevant debate to the forefront of international media.
Faced with an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer in the future, Jolie underwent her procedure as a preventative measure – one that brought her risk of developing the disease down to just five percent.
It’s thought around five percent of Australians – both men and women – carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene and the availability of genetic testing varies across the country.
Check yourself
To ensure the best possible outcome, early detection is all-important. As with all types of cancer, the risk of breast cancer spreading from the breasts to other parts of the body increases dramatically if it is not detected early on. The good news is that the knowledge, technology and medical expertise is all readily available here in Australia to help women take charge of their breast health.
It is critical every woman knows how to do breast self-examination. As of age 20, self-checking using the points below should be a monthly routine:
• Most doctors recommend lying down with one arm behind your head. With the other hand, feel each breast with your middle three fingers for any irregular lumps, cyst-like formations, thickening or unusual dimpling. Be sure to feel the entire breast area – from the top of the chest, under each arm, around the breast mound and down towards the rib cage.
• You can also look at your breasts in the mirror, both with your hands on your hips and in the air. Check for changes in colour, shape, nipple location, dimpling or anything that is irregular.
• Use your thumb and forefinger to gently press the nipple and check for any irregular discharge.
• It is not a cause for panic if you do come across an anomaly – 80% of lumps turn out to be benign – but you should consult with your doctor as soon as possible to be sure.
• For pre-menopausal women especially, aim to perform the self-exam at the same time each month, ideally after your period. As your breasts change as you go through your menstrual cycle, by examining them at the same point in your cycle, you can make a more accurate comparison.
Some changes to look for:
• A new lump, or lumpiness, especially if it is in one breast.
• Nipple discharge.
• Change in the size or shape of the breast or nipple.
• Change in the skin over the breast, such as redness or dimpling.
• Unusual persistent pain, especially if it is one breast
• If you’re concerned by a family history of breast cancer, or by any changes to your breasts, speak to a doctor as soon as possible.
Reducing your risk
While there is no known way of preventing breast cancer, Dr Klentze says making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, reducing fat mass and increasing exercise can all help to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
He also advises getting tested to find out if you are susceptible to breast cancer, especially if there is a family history of the disease. Having a first degree relative, such as your mother or sister, with breast cancer puts you at higher risk for the disease. The risk is even greater if they developed breast cancer before menopause, and in both breasts.
