| One in 9 women is expected to develop breast | | | | For women in their 20s and 30s, take clinical breast |
| cancer during her lifetime. One in 27 will die of it. | | | | examination once in every three years, for women |
| Breast cancer attacks mainly women, however | | | | 40 and older, take it once every year. |
| there’s 1% of breast cancer patients are men. | | | | For women 40 and older, take a mammogram every |
| As we get older, the risk of getting breast cancer | | | | year. Mammography may have some limitations and |
| increases. Basically, all women have a certain degree | | | | could miss some cancers, it is still considered to be |
| of risk of developing breast cancer. Women who | | | | the gold standard for early detection of breast |
| have a family history of breast cancer have a much | | | | cancer. |
| higher risk of contracting this disease. There are | | | | Starting from age 20, women may choose to do |
| other factors that may attribute to the higher or | | | | breast self-examination. The benefits of BSE may not |
| lower the risk of developing breast cancer, some of | | | | be too obvious as it’s probably a little too late |
| them, e.g. Genetic risk factors, aging etc you | | | | when you can notice any changes. It could still be |
| can’t change, some e.g. lifestyle-related factors, | | | | beneficial in that it helps notice any changes in the |
| you can. | | | | breasts so you can report them to your doctor. |
| Good news is that most of breast cancer patients | | | | Those women with higher risk factors of developing |
| will survive and still live a healthy life if diagnosed early | | | | breast cancer, for example, women with family |
| and treated properly. The important thing we can do | | | | history of cancer or with a known genetic mutation |
| is do regular screening. It’s a way to check if | | | | of a BRCA gene, need to take extra efforts to |
| there are any changes in the breasts that may lead | | | | promote awareness and take steps for prevention. |
| to problems. Screening includes a breast x-ray | | | | Consult your doctor to discuss the risk and take |
| (mammogram), clinical breast examination (a physical | | | | necessary steps to reduce your risk of developing |
| exam of the breasts by a health care professional, | | | | breast cancer. |
| CBE for short) and breast self-examination (BSE). | | | | Breast cancer is mostly curable if found early and |
| All women starting from age 20 are recommended | | | | given good treatment. Screening is a way to detect |
| to do breast cancer screening according to the | | | | it at its early stage. Bear this in mind: breast cancer |
| following guidelines: | | | | screening can save you life. Take the time to do it. |