BREAST CANCER AWARENESS: KNOW YOUR BREAST

Before we can talk about breast cancer and its awareness, we must be able to say ‘breast’ not just in private or in hushed whispers or even in our heads. The breast is an important part of the human body like any other part that is deemed ‘appropriate’ to mention in public. We should not let ignorance prevail and rob us of the opportunity to learn the truth, using ‘appropriateness’ or any other factor as the excuse.

History of Breast Cancer Awareness
The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), the month of October, designated to be an observed commemorative month to raise awareness of breast cancer. It was decided in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Breast cancer awareness month is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase global awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

It also serves to educate people about the importance of early screening, test and also offers information and support to those affected. This campaign starts on October 1st and ends on October 31st every year.
Breast cancer awareness is an effort to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatments.

The pink ribbon is the most prominent symbol of breast cancer awareness.

Currently there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer therefore; early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control.

Breast Cancer Awareness Events
A variety of events around the world are organized in October, including walks and runs, and the pink illumination of landmark buildings and other activities in recognition and support of breast cancer awareness month. Some of them include;
1. October 1983 the “race for the cure” was held for the first time in Dallas, Texas where 800 people participated.
2. In 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation had handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors
3. The official workplace of the president of Brazil, lit up in pink on October 1, 2014.
4. The White House illuminated pink in honor of NBCAM in 2017.

In the UK, there was a campaign launched by Lorraine Kelly called “Lorraine’s boob bus” that travelled across the country, taking their life saving campaign tagged: “Change and Check with them”. The bus stopped in major cities throughout the UK in the month of October 2019. Aboard the bus were trained breast cancer nurses and other sponsors that shared as much information as they could to as many people as possible.

About Breast Cancer
It occurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. These cells divide rapidly and continue to accumulate, forming a mass or lump. The cancer most often begins with cells in the milk-producing ducts and spreads to other parts and organs of the body through the lymph nodes in the armpits. Breast cancer differs across age groups with the age range 26 to 45 having the highest prevalence. There are about 1.38 million new cases and 458,000 deaths from breast cancer each year. The majority of deaths (269,000) occur in low and middle-income countries, where most women with breast cancer are diagnosed in late stages due mainly to lack of awareness on early detection and barriers to health services. In Nigeria, there are 500,000 estimated new cases of breast cancer diagnosed annually and its survival rate is a dismal 10%. Male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of all cancer diagnosed worldwide. It is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries.

Myths and Facts
Myth 1: If there is no history of breast cancer in your family, you cannot have breast cancer.
Fact 1: Most people diagnosed with breast cancer have no known family history.

Myth 2: If you live a healthy lifestyle, you cannot get breast cancer.
Fact 2: Although these behaviors can help lower the risk, they cannot eliminate it.

Myth 3: Wearing a bra, using underarm antiperspirants, carrying a cellphone in your bra and consuming too much sugar can cause breast cancer.
Fact 3: There is no evidence of a connection between these things and breast cancer.

Myth 4: Men do not get breast cancer.
Fact 4: Men have breast tissue and so can have breast cancer, although rare.

Myth 5: Breast cancer only happens to middle aged and older women.
Fact 5: Younger women can and do get breast cancer, as do men.

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
The risk factors are conditions that makes it more likely for one to get breast cancer. However, having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that one would develop breast cancer. Many women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors other than being women. These factors associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:
1. Being a woman
2. Increasing age
3. A family history of breast cancer
4. Inherited genes that increase cancer risk
5. Radiation exposure
6. Early menstruation
7. Late menopause
8. Having never been pregnant
9. Postmenopausal hormone therapy

Early Detection
Early detection and treatment usually lead to a positive outlook. It can also help prevent the spread of cancer. Regular checks and screening like mammogram and breast biopsy can detect symptoms early. The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests that women of average risk from the age of 40 years onward should have yearly scans. Those who have not had should start annual screening at 45 years of age. They may decide to switch screenings every other year when they reach 55 years of age.
In addition to mammograms and biopsies, breast exams are another way to watch for signs of breast cancer. Breast self-examinations are very important. It is best to do this exam once a month, at the same time each month. The exam can help one become familiar with how the breasts normally look and feel so as to be aware of any changes that occur.

Precautions to take
While the actual cause and eradicative cure of breast cancer is yet to be found, the fact remains that every human being has breast tissue therefore everyone-men and women alike-should consciously and actively lead a healthy lifestyle, especially those with risk factors in order to reduce their level of risk.

Finally

The world we live in is moving at the speed of light in terms of inventions, information, innovations and so much more. Therefore we must move with it if we do not want to be left behind. Breast cancer awareness is one of the weapons of knowledge we can use to defeat the unprogressive and insidious enemy, ignorance.

Article by Ayomide Aliyu-Faniyan, 200l Medical Student, Afe Babalola University.

REFERENCES
https://www.who.int/cancer/events/breastcancer-month)
https://breastcancerconsortium.net/brief-history-breasr-cancer-awareness-month/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37136.php
https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470
https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understanding_bc/myths-facts
www.socron.net