Dr Shashta Sawh
At Pink Hibiscus, I see several women a day coming for a wide spectrum of breast problems or for a routine breast screening. But despite the reason that brings these patients to our clinic, the underlying concern regardless of age is "Am I at risk of breast cancer?" The fear and anxiety that this is able to stir up in women is a tremendous one and at the clinic, we aim to alleviate this by being aware of the risk factors which we can and cannot control.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women. Research has shown that the lifetime risk of a woman developing breast cancer is one in eight. With such a high risk, I am certain many of us can testify to knowing a relative or friend who has been affected by this.So why do we develop breast cancer? There are quite a number of factors which contribute to a woman's risk. Whilst there are some which we can control, there are others which we cannot.
Gender: Simply being a woman is a risk factor! A UK-based study revealed that 55,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed a year and out of this, only 350 are men. The higher levels of oestrogen found in women has been linked to breast cancer.
Age: As we get older the likelihood of developing breast cancer increases as our body's repair mechanism do not work the way it should. Whilst this has been demonstrated in many studies it does not negate the fact that it can still present in the younger premeopausal woman. It is therefore important that all women, regardless of age, should be breast aware and visit their breast specialists when necessary.
Family history: Having a family member with breast or ovarian cancer, either from the maternal or paternal side, can increase a woman's risk. For most women, a family history does not necessarily increase the risk and they may be at the same risk as the general population. In fact, most breast cancers occur in women without a family history–only five to ten per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have been linked to an inherited defective gene.
The National Institue for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has guidelines which can assess a woman with her family history and work out her individual risk of developing breast cancer. It is important to be evaluated at a breast specialist clinic if you do have a family history.
Having children: Never having children or having the first child after the age of 30 has been associated with increased risk of developing breast cancer.
Lifetsyle: Modifying one's lifestyle is definitely an area where breast cancer risk may be reduced. Obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking have been known to increase a woman's risk.
Having one or more risk factors may increase the chance of developing breast cancer. It does not necessarily mean that you will be diagnosed with this disease, as some may have little risk and still develop breast cancer whilst others may have many factors and never develop the disease. It is, however, very important to be breast aware so the best level of care can be given to you by your breast specialist.
Dr Shashta Sawh, breast physician
Pink Hibiscus Breast Health Specialists
5 Adam Smith Square, Woodbrook.
Contact: 627-1010