News
Women caught in storm of risk factors for breast cancer
Too many women are ignorant about signs of breast cancer, leaving it too late to seek successful treatment, experts warn, pointing to the dread statistic of two women dying every day in Sri Lanka from the cancer.
Lack of knowledge and late detection are the leading causes of women dying of breast cancer, the Cancer Registry of National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) said.
Every day, the NCCP says, 10 more women are found in hospitals around the country, seeking treatment for breast cancer-related symptoms. Breast cancer amounts to a third of all reported cancers.
Doctors said 10 per cent of the cancers reported are among women who have a family history of breast cancer, with the cancer being triggered by the age of 30-40 years.
With 90 per cent of cancers occurring in women above the age of 40 and average life expectancy increasing (currently 74 years), oncologists say women need to be urgently taught how to detect breast cancer and seek early treatment.
NCCP Consultant Community Physician, NCCP Dr. Nayana de Alwis said early detection can prevent aggressive surgery, preserve a woman’s body image and contribute to the “five-year survival rate”.
For these reasons the NCCP wants all women above 20 years to set aside one day a month to check their breasts. Younger women should ideally do this a week before their menstrual cycle begins.
The female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, which promote breast cancer cell growth, make women 100 times more likely than men to get the disease.
Starting menstruation before the age of 12 and experiencing menopause after the age of 55 are further risk factors because women are exposed to the female hormones for longer periods. Multiple chest radiation therapy during adolescence also can be harmful.
Contrarily, multiple pregnancy, pregnancy at an early age, longer period of breast-feeding (which reduces the number of menstrual cycles in women), can combat breast cancer.
In recent times, obesity and the increase of fat levels in women have been found to be triggering factors along with chemicals in food and drink and the constant inhalation of traffic fumes.
Taking contraceptive pills for considerable periods, using hormone replacement therapy, excessive alcohol consumption and a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to the disease..
Dr. de Alwis said the number of patients undergoing aggressive surgery has risen due to delays in seeking treatment and the stigma related to the disease.
The free treatment centres set up in hospitals for early detection under-utilised due to poor knowledge of available health services.
There are around a thousand “healthy lifestyle” centres around the country including Well Women Clinics in more than 500 MOH (Medical Office of Health) unit. Women can walk into any of these centres for examination without prior appointment. Midwives are on hand to assist women with the examination.
Mammograms are not recommended for younger women. “Ultrasound scans can be harmful and dense tissues can make it difficult to detect abnormal cells,” Dr. de Alwis said.
(Please see ST 2 Page 3 for article on breast cancer by Consultant Surgical Oncologist Dr. Indranee Amarasinghe)
| Danger signs to watch for | |
| Breast Aware is one of the programmes for early cancer detection being publicised this month, World Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Other programmes support treatment and supportive care for survivors. To be Breast Aware is to be diligent in detecting early abnormalities in your breast through self-examination and clinical examination. Signs to look for include abnormal appearance, changes in shape and outline, pain when moving arms or lifting a breast, puckering and dimpling in a breast. Feelings of discomfort or pain, or finding lumps or bumpy areas in the breast and armpit should not be dismissed lightly. Discharge from nipples, bleeding, reddish areas, rash, itchiness, or finding a change in position, with a breast pulled in or pointing differently are also possible signals of trouble. The four-point code in detecting changes comprises knowing what is normal; look and feel; knowing what changes to look for; reporting changes without delay. |
| There were many times I cried: Actress speaks out to help others | |
Susantha Chandramali, 56, a popular television actress who has successfully fought breast cancer, is sharing her story to empower women.  Susantha Chandramali. Pic by Sameera Weerasekera In early March, she found a lump in her breast and saw her family doctor. Suspecting the lump to be malign, the physician had taken prompt action. Talking about her ordeal, she said because she had detected the disease early she had been able to save her body image. “I was devastated to know it was cancer,” she said, describing her battle against the debilitating illness. “But the doctors arranged for a surgery to remove the lump on my left breast early and started on chemotherapy two weeks afterwards. “The traumatising days began when my hair started falling. A woman’s beauty is in her hair and, being an actress, that mattered most. “To overcome the agony of seeing strands of hair falling throughout the day, I shaved my head. There were many times I shut myself inside the washroom and cried. I wore a hat and a scarf to hide my baldness. “Seeing my discomfort, my doctors told me about the Indira Breast Cancer Trust (IBCT) and the assistance it gives cancer patients. “The IBCT made a personalised wig for me and now I feel more confident. I know my hair will grow back,” she said. IBCT assistance to cancer patients includes providing breast prostheses, funding for medication, and counselling. Susantha asks all women to check themselves for signs of breast cancer at least once a month. “As soon as you detect any changes, go to a doctor and seek advice. You need to be well to look after your family,” she said. “Do not get alarmed. This a normal disease. Think positively and be strong. There are good doctors in our country who can get you 100 per cent cured,” she said.
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