Think Pink

You hear the statistics every year, but somehow you never believe it will happen to you.

Yet, according to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, and makes up 25 per cent of all new diagnoses in women globally.

Due to its vast prevalence worldwide, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has become an annual campaign launched to raise awareness and funds for research in an effort to improve the detection and treatment methods until we can reach a point where there is a ‘last one to die’.

It is a scary thought to not be in the know of what is actually taking place in your body and to have no control over it either. In spite of this, not many of us take the initiative to educate ourselves of this global disease which impacts hundreds of thousands of lives every year.

What Is Breast Cancer?

A malignant tumour that develops in the breast tissue, this disease has four invasive stages ranging from Stage I to Stage IV, with prognoses becoming poorer as it progresses. There is also Stage 0 which is non-invasive meaning the cancer remains in its original location.

The stage at which a cancer is at is dependent on four main characteristics: the size of the cancer, whether it is invasive or not, if it has travelled to the lymph nodes, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body beyond the breast.

Common signs and symptoms include skin dimpling, presence of a lump, thick skin around the breast, a change in its size and shape, blood discharge, rashes, and swelling in your armpits.

What Causes It?

No precise cause has been determined yet, however there are factors which can help predict the possibility of contracting this disease:

• It is two to three times more likely if there is a family history of it.
• Diets high in fat pose a higher risk.
• Five to 10 per cent of cases can be traced to specific, inherited gene mutations such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.
• Overweight women after menopause hold a 1.5 times higher chance of developing breast cancer.
• Younger women who smoke also have more probability.
• Research has shown that women who have a greater exposure to oestrogen hold a bigger risk.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, and makes up 25 per cent of all new diagnoses in women globally.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no cure for breast cancer. Treatment options and recommendations, however, depend on a number of factors such as the size and stage of the tumour as well as the patient’s age and health.

Small tumours are often removed through surgery wherein surgeons often get rid of a bit of the healthy tissue surrounding the malignant growth to best ensure a positive prognosis.

Larger tumours on the other hand, if deemed inoperable, must be treated via hormonal or chemotherapy – both of which come with side effects like hair thinning, rapid weight gain or loss and a severe effect on muscles and bones.

Ultimately, the treatment plan is completely dependent on the patient’s initial diagnosis and is therefore tailor-made to their respective condition.

Prevention

Research has shown that one-third of breast cancer deaths can be prevented if the cases are detected and treated early. In this context, the World Health Organisation lists two main components through which the mortality rate can be battled:

• Education: Ignorance is no defence against this disease. Raising awareness of this is necessary to help people recognise early signs of cancer and then promptly seek medical attention
• Screening Programmes: Age plays a factor, therefore it is suggested to schedule a mammogram every three years initially and then to attend to annually after hitting your forties.

Be Proactive

Along with going for timely mammograms, it is also important to conduct self-exams at home to aid in detecting signs early on. This is an important step you can and should take.

The Five Steps Of Conducting A Self-Exam

1. With your shoulders straight and arms on your hips, examine your chest in the mirror for a change in size, shape or colour, especially keeping an eye out for common signs and symptoms.
2. Raise your arms straight up and inspect along the same parameters.
3. Ensure that no fluid came out from one or both nipples during Steps 1 and 2.
4. Lie down with your right arm behind your head, and then use your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm touch with the first few finger pads (keep them flat and together), moving in a circular motion starting in the middle, and covering your entire breast from collarbone to abdomen and armpit to cleavage. Then repeat for your other side.
5. Follow Step 4’s patterns while standing or sitting.

If you notice any change or irregularity, please seek medical attention.

There are men and women who feel shy, even ashamed, and put off getting a consult; this is wrong. Your health far surpasses your comfort level, and in the end you are better off for setting an appointment with your doctor.

Get Involved In The Community

Pakistan, in comparison to most developed countries, has little coverage and campaigning going on regarding breast cancer.

In fact, Pakistan still has no national cancer registry in spite of increasing reports of the disease in young girls, said Omer Aftab, founder and CEO of Pink Ribbon Pakistan the only volunteer-driven campaign of its kind, in Pakistan, dedicated to working on the issue of breast cancer by raising awareness and funds to battle the rising statistics.

“70 per cent of breast cancer patients are already at Stage III by the time they reach out for medical support,” Aftab added.

Launched in 2004, Pink Ribbon runs a number of programmes nationwide – youth awareness, community outreach, advisory services, and national screening as well as offering a Nutritional and Physical Activity (NUPA) guide, in an effort to raise awareness and remove any stigma associated with breast cancer that stops patients from seeking help.

“Despite the fact that breast cancer is still a sensitive topic in Pakistan, we have self-sustained this initiative only on public philanthropy without any donor funding.

“And while we have made serious strides in establishing the issue in mainstream media, our real achievement is the 30 per cent increase in patient turn–up at breast clinics nationwide since the inception of this campaign,” said Aftab.

Currently, the organisation is in the process of setting up Pakistan’s first dedicated breast cancer hospital.

“It will be provide free-of-cost diagnostic services to all women along with relevant treatments – all under one roof,” said Aftab.

You can help out in many ways, by volunteering or donating. For more information, visit pinkribbon.org.pk