Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer worldwide and accounts for almost one in three of all malignancies in women.
The introduction of mammograms and improved treatments have had positive
effects on mortality rates in women aged 50 and above, but despite
this, the single most effective way to detect abnormal lumps or
irregularities amongst women is still being overlooked - self
examination.
The chance of developing invasive breast cancer
during a woman's lifetime is approximately 1 in 8 (about 13%). Though
much less common, breast cancer also occurs in men with an estimated
1,720 cases diagnosed in 2005
The
interval between the initial transformation of a normal cell to a
cancer cell and the full blown clinical detection of a tumor the size
of a pea, containing as many as a billion cells, may take decades.
Unlike any time before in history, we are exposed today to huge amounts of "Xenoestrogens"----
These chemicals behave like aggressive estrogen and further throw
hormonal levels off balance. They often begin creating problems in
young girls hence early puberty.
Xeno-oestrogens have been linked to the huge increase in the occurrence of breast cancer over the last 30 years, to the increasing rate of infertility in females and the decreasing sperm count in males.
There is no certain way to prevent breast cancer. However, women can learn the risk factors and promote early detection with :
- Regular breast self examinations,
- You may hear that BSE is not effective.The important message is to understand your own breasts,and detect change.
- Clinical check ups
- Regular Mammograms
