Have you ever heard someone close to you advise a female, “Since breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in women, you should educate yourself upon that,”? Apa diaorang cakap tu betul, in a sense.
It was reported that dalam sejuta women worldwide are estimated to be affected by breast cancer tiap tahun, and in 2020, there were over 2.26 million cases of breast cancer in women globally. In spite of the fact that breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, it is also one of the most preventable and curable cancers. So, kita boleh relax sikit.
Today, I’m here to elucidate all the jigsaw pieces of breast cancer: its description, causes, symptoms, risk factors, therapies, and, of course, viable prevention methods!
First of all, apa itu breast cancer (from a scientific perspective lah)?
Breast cancer is a form of cancer that occurs when cells in the milk-producing glands develop abnormally and proliferate uncontrollably. These abnormal cells start to infect the tissue around the breast and may eventually spread to other nearby organs through blood vessels and lymphatic systems.
You must be wondering “ ahhh, sebenarnya kenapa sel jadi macam tu”?
To make things easier to digest, kita cuba ringkaskan the causes of breast cancer.
There are many different causes of breast cancer, with some being more common than others. Whilst the majority of breast cancers are caused by lifestyle and environmental factors, there are a number of other potential causes that should not be overlooked.
One of the most common causes of breast cancer is exposure to oestrogen. This hormone is present in both men and women, tapi laki laki jangan risau sebab, women are much more susceptible to its effects. Oestrogen levels can be increased by a number of different things, such as taking certain types of medication or being overweight.
Another potential cause of breast cancer is radiation exposure. This is most commonly experienced through mammograms, but can also occur from other sources such as X-rays or CT scans. Radiation exposure can damage the DNA of cells, which can lead to the development of cancerous cells.
There are also a number of genetic factors that can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Contohnya, women who have a family history of breast cancer are more likely to develop the disease themselves. Additionally, certain mutations in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 can also predispose women to breast cancer.
It’s important to remember that whilst there are many potential causes of breast cancer, the vast majority of cases are still caused by gaya hidup and environmental factors. Sebab tu lah making healthy choices such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly boleh tolong reduce your risk of developing the disease.
There are many potential causes, but there are some that are more likely to have breast cancer than others; ni lah the risk factors.
Some of the risk factors that you mesti tahu:
- Age – The older you are, the greater your risk – sebab tu most breast cancers are diagnosed in women over the age of 50.
- Family history – If you have a close relative (mother, sister or daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk is increased.
- Lifestyle factors – Smoking, drinking alcohol, being overweight or obese and not exercising regularly can all increase your risk of developing breast cancer.
- The age you started your first period – Not many people are aware of this risk, however it has been stated that women who began having periods before the age of 12 are considered to have a slightly increased risk for breast cancer. Tapi, jangan risau sangat lah – because the increase in risk is very minimal je, but it’s always good to know things.
Tapi, ingat — not everyone with these risk factors will get breast cancer. Macam mana pun, understanding what puts you at higher risk can help you take steps towards reducing it as much as possible.
OK, next, jom kita dive into the symptoms.
There are a number of different symptoms associated with breast cancer, which can make it difficult to spot. For your better understanding, I’ll list down the commons ones dulu lah:
- A lump or thickening in the breast.
- Breast changes in terms of size and/or shape.
- Dimpling of the skin on the breast.
- Nipple that has become inverted or changed position.
- Discharge from the nipple.
- Rashes on the nipple or around the breast.
Kalau you notice any changes to your breasts (tak kisah lah umur), it’s important to see your GP as soon as possible. They will be able to carry out some tests and investigations to rule out anything serious.
Now that you are at the GP’s appointment, macam mana they make a diagnosis?
Ok, first of all, breast cancer diagnosis isn’t always straightforward as symptoms vary depending on the type and stage of cancer. In some cases, a tissue biopsy or a needle aspiration may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis — after thorough physical examination.
After being diagnosed — what are the possible treatments?
While each and every breast cancer case is unique, there are several therapies that can be effective in fighting the disease.
Surgery is often the first step in treating breast cancer. A mastectomy, which involves removing the entire breast, is typically recommended for those with aggressive forms of the disease. Lumpectomy, or removal of the tumour and surrounding tissue, may be an option for those with early stage cancer.
Radiation therapy pula another common treatment for breast cancer. This involves using high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells. This therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with surgery.
Chemotherapy is another option for treating breast cancer. This involves using powerful drugs to kill cancer cells — and can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy. This treatment is considered to be useful for malignancies that have spread beyond the breast.
Tapi macam mana pun, it is important to remember that no two people are alike and so what works for one person may not work for another. Sebab tu it’s important to discuss all available options with your doctor and make sure you betul betul faham what each treatment entails before making any decisions.
OK, sekarang you dah faham breast cancer a bit more…
Kalau you rasa you might be at risk of breast cancer, don’t wait: speak with your doctor and make an appointment for testing cepat – cepat! Remember that early detection is key – it could save your life!
It can be daunting trying to make sense of all the information out there about breast cancer and its treatment. But it’s worth doing some research so you can make an informed decision about your care.
Remember that you are not alone in this journey sebab your doctor and other healthcare professionals are here to help you through every step. And last piece of advice — tolonglah get your yearly screening to stay up-to-date about your general health, ok?
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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.
