One of the most common cancers in women, it is estimated that, breast cancer affected 2.3 millon women in 2022 and caused 670,000 deaths globally. While it is a common form of cancer, how many people know signs of breast cancer? According to a survey conducted by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center/OSUCCC, while more than 90 per cent knew lumps in breast was a sign, less than half knew what the other signs were. A breast cancer surgeon, Dr Lauren Ramsey, pointed out four key points that everyone should know about breast cancer. Learning is the best way to combat and increase chances of diagnoses because it is one of the most curable forms of cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, almost 100 per cent survive their cancer for the first five years or more, so when it is diagnosed early, one has more chances. In an Instagram post titled, ‘Advice I would give you as a breast cancer surgeon if I wasn’t afraid of hurting your feelings’, Dr Ramsey listed these key points. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lauren Ramsey (@laurenramseymd)]]>4 Key Points About Breast Cancer In the captions, Dr Ramsey explained that having accurate information is necessary if we want to increase the chances of survival. Family History Isn't the Only Risk Factor A lot of people think they only need to worry about breast cancer if a parent or siblings have had it, but that idea is wrong. Only a tiny fraction—just 5 to 10 per cent—of all breast cancer cases are actually caused by inherited gene faults, like the well-known BRCA mutation. This means that most cases of breast cancer happen to people who have no strong family history of the disease. It's really important for everyone to get regular screenings, such as mammograms, regardless of what their family's medical history looks like. A Lump Isn't the Only Symptom It's a common misunderstanding that breast cancer always starts with a hard lump you can feel. However, that's not always true. You need to pay attention to other possible signs and changes. These signs can include changes to the skin on your breast, like redness or dimpling - like an orange peel, discharge coming from the nipple, new swelling in the breast or armpit, or even just a feeling of subtle, unusual pain. Get to know what your breasts normally look and feel like, so you can tell your doctor right away if anything new or strange appears. Dense Tissue Complicates Detection Many women have dense breast tissue, which is totally normal. However, this type of tissue makes finding a tumor much harder when a mammogram is performed. On an X-ray, both dense breast tissue and cancerous tumors look white. This makes it easy for tumors to hide behind the tissue. If your breasts are dense, your doctor might suggest extra tests like an ultrasound or MRI after your mammogram. Always make sure to ask if your breast density was written on your mammogram report so you know if further checks are necessary. Lifestyle Choices Make a Real Difference All the advice you hear about healthy living truly does help lower your risk of developing breast cancer. It's not just talk! Even small, simple changes can have a powerful impact on your health. A great place to start is by cutting back on alcohol and processed foods. Make it a point to also move your body more every day. These healthy habits are effective steps you can take starting right now to protect yourself and lower your risk.
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