Do you experience a tingling sensation when you hear the phrase “Breast Cancer”? Well, I always do. In fact among the top 10 cancers in Malaysia, Breast Cancer is ranked the first according to a study conducted in 2019 by National Cancer Registry, demonstrating how terrifying it is.
So, what Breast Cancer actually is?
Today, we’re going to make everything crystal clear! Jom, grab a cup of coffee, relax and get comfortable.
Tapi sebelum tu, let us define breast cancer.
Breast cancer is caused by abnormal cell growth, generally in milk-producing ducts, and the tumour is usually diagnosed after it has been growing for two to five years. Some malignant cells could also be discovered in other areas of the breast, such as beneath the nipple or underneath the arm. The second-leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women is breast cancer, which affects women more commonly than any other type of cancer. It’s worrisome, kan?
Sebab itulah it’s important to get ourselves educated about this condition to stay informed.
Jadi, what are the risk factors? Jom find out..
The obvious risk factor would definitely be being a woman, isn’t it? The probability of women having breast cancer is significantly higher than men. Tapi, not all women are at equal risk for breast cancer. It was mentioned that age plays a huge role in the prevalence of breast cancer. This happens because women who have gone through menopause (those in their 50s) have substantially increased odds of developing breast cancer. This is brought on by the possibility of abnormal cell alterations increasing with age.
Now, let’s move on to the next point
Have you ever heard old folks saying, “If a parent has a kind of illness, the children might get it too”? That’s actually quite true for breast cancer. This is due to the fact that breast cancer can be triggered by genetics. Contohnya, if one of your parents has breast cancer, your chance of getting it also doubles; if both your mother and sister do have cancer, your risk of developing it climbs yet higher. This is incredibly surprising yet enlightening, kan?
Okay, putting aside all the hereditary and health-related factors, our personal lifestyles also matter. Haa, tahu ke tidak tu?
Kalau tak, it’s ok! It’s never too late to learn
All cancers, including breast cancer, are hugely influenced by eating habits, which are one of the key lifestyle factors. Unhealthy eating habits often lead to the issue of being overweight or even obesity. So, how does being obese could potentially lead to breast cancer? Sounds complicated, huh? Do not be alarmed; allow me to elaborate.
Weight and the risk of breast cancer seem to be complicated relationships. However, it was claimed that having excessive fat might increase the amount of the hormone oestrogen (hormone necessary for the development of breast tissue), which when in excess is thought to elevate the risk of breast cancer. Thus, it is always best to have a well-balanced diet, so that our body fats don’t get skyrocketed.
And yes, one last thing, when it comes to lifestyle factors, we can’t leave out alcohol consumption habits! This is due to the possibility that excessively drinking high amounts of alcohol can potentially raise oestrogen levels as well. Jadi, the trick is moderation, or better yet, refrain from drinking alcohol altogether lah.
Up to this point, we’ve covered all the aspects of the risks, now let’s move on to the second and most crucial part…
How to Realistically Reduce the Risks of Breast Cancer?
Let me summarise the key points quickly, so that it would be easier to digest!
Ringkasnya, be physically active and keep your weight in check to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer or any other diseases. After all, keeping a healthy weight is the holy grail of disease preventive strategies. So, get up and hit the gym, or try working out at home. Senang je.
Additionally, limiting or better still quitting alcohol consumption could help us maintain a healthy level of oestrogen, reducing the likelihood of developing breast cancer.
Lastly, breastfeeding could also reduce the risk of breast cancer. Do you know why? It’s because during breastfeeding, we eliminate breast tissue which potentially carries mutated cells – reducing the chances of getting cancer. Makes sense, kan?
And one last piece of advice, ladies: opt for cancer screenings annually if you’re over the age of 50. As I’ve explained earlier, breast cancer increases with age, and especially after menopause. So, consult your healthcare provider, and schedule an appointment for screening. This would not magically reduce the cancer risks, but it’ll definitely help in early diagnosis.
So please remember to take care of your breast health tau.
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Disclaimer: Our content is strictly for educational and informational purposes only. Healthlah.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
