Age is a risk factor for breast cancer!
Mother’s
Day is just round the corner and the common act of filial piety and gratitude
is to buy a present for Mum or take her out for a nice dinner. All these are
well and thoughtful gifts, but Mum, being Mum, will more likely appreciate your
love and concern over material gifts. And of the most practical ways in which
we can show our concern for our parents is to be concerned about their health
and encourage them to lead a healthy and fruitful lifestyle. After all, for
decades our folks have sacrificed wealth and health to bring their children up,
and it is only right that they take a well-earned rest and enjoy their
new-found freedom. But they can only do so when in good health.
Which
brings us to the topic of breast cancer, the most commonly occurring cancer
among women in Singapore.
According to the Singapore Cancer Society, 1850 women are diagnosed with this
cancer each year, and over 400 die from it. As many as 1 in 11 women will get
breast cancer in their lifetime. The good news is, early detection can greatly
increase the chances of survival.
Mediacorp
actress Pan Ling Ling is a walking testimony on how one can bounce back from
breast cancer with early detection. She was diagnosed with end of stage one and
beginning of stage two cancer in late 2012. She went for an operation to get
the cancerous lump in her breast removed, followed by chemotherapy
for six months, and then 25 consecutive sessions of radiotherapy. Today
she is back to work as an actress, and still looks radiant and pretty as
before. More of her inspiring story can be found here.
The risk of breast cancer increases with age, and according
to The American Cancer Society, 2 of 3 invasive breast cancers are found in women age 55 or older. Symptoms present at
early stages of breast cancer are not very intrusive and could be missed,
especially if one does not make it a point to examine their breasts regularly.
According to Healthline, early stage symptoms include:
- changes in the shape of the nipple
- breast pain doesn't go away after your next period
- a new lump that doesn’t go away after your next period
- nipple discharge from one breast that is clear, red, brown, or yellow
- unexplained redness, swelling, skin irritation, itchiness, or rash on the breast
- swelling or a lump around the collarbone or under the arm
Sometimes the cancer may have reached an
advanced stage by the time it is felt, and treatment will be more risky and
invasive.
On the other hand, the mammogram is
currently the most reliable screening tool for breast cancer, and it can detect
cancerous lumps even before they can be felt with the hand. It is therefore
highly encouraged that women go for regular mammograms. Women aged 50 and above
are advised to undergo a mammogram once every 2 years.
Moreover, mammograms conducted by the Singapore Cancer Society
at their mammogram facility are currently free for Singaporean women aged 50and above who are in possession of the orange or blue CHAS card. Otherwise, the
screening cost is still affordable at $50.
If your mum does not already go for regular breast cancer
screenings, offer to accompany her to one and pay for it. Nothing makes a
better gift than the gift of health and life.
To make an appointment or an enquiry, visit the SCS’s
webpage: http://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/get-screened/breast-cancer/mammogram.html
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