According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, claiming numerous lives each year. In Ghana, statistics from World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), GLOBOCAN has identified breast cancer as the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women, with 4,482 (31.8%) cases recorded in the year 2020. 

According to the Former Chair, of the Ghana Cancer Board, Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai, over 2000 women died from breast cancer in 2020, this was due to a halt in medical services for some cancer patients during the lockdown period, which was an initiative to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Ghana. On the Calendar of Health Practitioners, October, has been dedicated as the month to create awareness on Breast Cancer and is termed as the Pink month.

WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease commonly known to start as a local lesion in the breast, and then spread gradually, developing into an invasive cancer that attacks the lymph nodes in the armpits, and other organs.

HOW WILL YOU KNOW YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER?

Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or a red or scaly patch of skin. When diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s natural to wonder what may have caused the disease. Unfortunately, research shows there is no exact cause of breast cancer but what is known is that breast cancer is always caused by damage to a cell’s DNA.

HOW DOES ONE STAND A GREATER RISK OF GETTING BREAST CANCER?

Study shows that certain risk factors contribute to getting breast cancer. A number of them are outlined below. 

• Age 

Study shows that (80%) of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50, due to the fact that, our bodies get more genetic damage (mutations), the longer we live and the body is less capable of repairing genetic damage when we get to this stage, hence, getting older is the most significant risk for developing breast cancer.

• Alcohol

Research consistently shows that regular intake of alcohol is associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Alcohol is said to increase the levels of estrogen and other hormones which damages the DNA in cells. Experts estimate that the risk of breast cancer goes up 10% for each additional drink a woman takes regularly each day.

• Being overweight or obese

Women who are overweight or obese stand a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer than women who maintain a healthy weight, especially after menopause. This is due to the fact that fat cells make estrogen and the more fat cells , the more the estrogen increases which causes the hormone receptor to develop breast cancer and grow.

• Smoking

There’s growing evidence that smoking slightly increases the risk of breast cancer. When a young woman starts smoking at an early age she gets herself exposed to the risk of getting breast cancer and this remains for at least 20 years after she stops smoking. 

This can also increase complications in cancer treatment, including, damage to the lungs from radiation therapy, difficulty healing after surgery and breast reconstruction and higher risk of blood clots when taking hormonal therapy medicines.

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

HRT is a medicine postmenopausal women take to ease symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, fatigue and reduction of bone loss.

Current or past users of HRT stand a greater risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer; this is because HRT contains hormones estrogen and progesterone which increases breast cancer by 75% in women, even when taking for only a short period of time.

• Family History

A small number of women and men have an increased risk of developing breast cancer because they have a significant family history.

• Personal history of breast cancer

        Having a personal history of cancer in one breast, increases your chances of having cancer in the other breast when you stop taking your medications or you get yourself involved in some of the risk factors like, smoking, drinking, eating unhealthy, e.t.c.

• Pregnancy 

      Women who haven’t had a full term pregnancy or given birth to their first child after age 30 stand a higher risk of getting breast cancer than those who gave birth before 30. This is because the breast cells are in adolescent and immature stage to fight any disease, until one’s first full term pregnancy, which makes it very active, fully mature and grow in a more regular way.

• Early Menstruation.

       Women who started their periods at an early age (before 12) have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer, because the time between breast development and a first full term pregnancy is usually longer than when menstruation happens and during this time, breast tissue tends to be immature, overactive and particularly sensitive to hormonal influences.

HOW DO I PREVENT BREAST CANCER?

Research shows that lifestyle changes can decrease the risk of breast cancer, even in women at high risk. In order to lower your risk:

Firstly, limit alcohol intake; the more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer. The general recommendation based on research is to limit yourself to not more than one drink a day, as even small amounts increase risk.

Secondly, maintain a healthy weight. If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight. If you need to lose weight, ask your doctor about healthy strategies to accomplish this. For example, reduce the number of calories you eat each day and slowly increase the amount of exercise.

Thirdly, be physically active. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which helps prevent breast cancer. Most healthy adults should aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly, plus strength training at least twice a week.

Also, breastfeed. Breast-feeding might play a role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breastfeed, the greater the protective effect.

Furthermore, limit postmenopausal hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of hormone therapy. You might be able to manage your symptoms with non-hormonal therapies and medications. If you decide that the benefits of short-term hormone therapy outweigh the risks, use the lowest dose that works for you and continue to have your doctor monitor the length of time you’re taking hormones.

Finally, eat healthily. Eating a healthy diet might decrease your risk of some types of cancer, as well as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. For example, women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts might have a reduced risk of breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet focuses mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. In addition, people who follow the Mediterranean diet choose healthy fats, such as olive oil, over butter and eat fish instead of red meat.

CONCLUSION

Be vigilant about breast cancer detection. If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump or skin changes, consult your doctor. Also, ask your doctor when to begin mammograms and other screenings based on your personal history.