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Breast Health Care

Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer is among the most common cancers that affect

Problems with breast screening

women. This awareness material is being brought out by

Nakumatt, as a general guide containing basic information

Breast screening does not prevent cancer. It only

detects it early.

Some women may find mammograms uncomfortable

or painful, but it is normally just for a short time.

Mammograms involve radiation, but the dose is quite

low. Further, the radiation dose is continually
monitored to make sure that it remains as low as
possible, while still providing a good quality image.

Mammograms require special machines and the

radiographer has to be specially trained. Poor quality
mammograms and lack of specialist skills can miss
cancer and give a false sense of reassurance.

Sometimes mammograms will show an abnormal

area which will need further tests. But though in many
cases, further tests show that the abnormality is not a
cancer, it can still be very worrying.

on breast cancer, its diagnosis and treatment.

Being Breast Aware

The breasts are made up of fat, connective tissue and
glandular tissue. The glands are where the breast milk is
produced. A network of milk ducts connects the glands in
the lobes to the nipple. A woman's breasts may feel
different at different times of the menstrual cycle.
Sometimes becoming lumpy just before a period.
An area of breast tissue extends into the arm pit and it is
also normal for the breasts to be slightly unequal in size.
Early detection of breast cancer offers a high cure rate,
but unfortunately, over 40,000 women die globally every
year due to breast cancer, because it is detected at a
very late stage.

Benefits of breast screening

In women who have breast screening, most cancers

are found at an early stage. That is when they are
very small and have not spread to the lymph nodes
close to the breast.

Breast screening saves lives.

What causes breast Cancer?

Research by the International association for cancer

research has shown that for every 500 women who
have breast screening, one life will be saved. Women
who take part in screening reduce their risk of dying
from breast cancer.

It is not clear exactly what causes breast cancer, but

many factors can increase a woman's risk of developing
breast cancer.

The risk of breast cancer increases with age.

Family history of breast cancer. About 5-10% of all

breast cancers are thought to be caused by inherited
cancer genes. Two breast cancer genes have been
identified (BRCA 1 and BRCA 2) and others may be
found in the near future. You should see a breast
doctor if there are:

Breast preservation possible.

In women who have breast screening , any cancer is
more likely to be found early. This means that the
cancer is small and removing just the lump will be
enough rather than needing a mastectomy.

What is a mammogram?

Three close blood relatives from the same side of

the family who developed breast cancer at any
age or

Breast screening is a way of finding breast cancer early

and this is usually done with a mammogram. A
mammogram is an x ray of the breast. Screening
mammogram is a test to look for breast cancers in
normal women who do not have any symptoms.

Two close relatives from the same side of the

family who developed breast cancer under the
age of 60 or
One close relative who developed breast cancer
under the age of 40 or History of male breast
cancer in the near family

It is generally done after the age of 40 annually, or once

in two to three years, depending on various factors.
When and how is it done?

History of cancer in both the breasts.

It is recommended that screening should start around the
age of 40. In women who have their periods, they should
go for the mammograms soon after they have had their
periods because the breast is less lumpy and painful
then.

Having had breast cancer on one side increases the

risk of developing the cancer on the other side slightly.

Having been diagnosed with a certain type of benign

breast disease like atypical ductal hyperplasia or
papillomatosis.

Women who did not have children and who did not
breast feed are slightly more at risk.

Women who start their period early (before 10 yrs of

age) and women who reach menopause late (after 50
yrs) are at slightly more at risk.

The breast tissue needs to be compressed to keep the

breast still and to get a good picture. Most women find
this uncomfortable, but this is for a very short time.

Being overweight, particularly after reaching

menopause, slightly increases the risk of breast
cancer.

What happens afterwards?

What can I do to detect breast cancer

early?

Eight out of ten women will have normal results and will
be asked to come for a regular checkup subsequently.

Breast awareness

On the day of the tests avoid using talcum powder or

deodorants as these may interfere with the results.
You will need to remove the top clothes including your
bra, and the radiographer, (usually a woman) will then
position you so that each breast is placed on the x ray
machine and gently but firmly compressed with a flat
clear plastic plate.

All women should be aware of how their breasts normally

feel and look so that they can detect any changes.
Learning how your breasts feel at different times will help
you to know what is normal for you.

Some women may be asked to see a breast surgeon for

further examination and tests. This may be because a
problem was seen on the x ray, but it is important to
remember that the problem may not be a cancer and
may be just a benign condition, but this has to be
checked up further.

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You can become familiar with your breast tissue by

looking and feeling, while having a bath or lying down.
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What is normal?
Change in colour
or appearance of
breast skin or
areola

There is no such thing as a standard breast. What is

normal for one woman may not be for another.
Throughout your life your breasts will change.
Before the menopause, normal breasts feel different at
different times of the month. The milk producing tissue in
the breast becomes active in the days before a period
starts. In most women, the breasts at this time feel tender
and lumpy, especially near the arm pits.

Discomfort or pain that feels different from the

other breast and lasts for more than few weeks.

After menopause, the activity in the milk producing tissue

stops and they start to feel less lumpy, and less firm.
Change in size of
shape of breast

What changes to look for?

Lump in breast of
underam area

Any new change in the outline or shape of the

breast, puckering or dimpling of the skin,
particularly caused by arm movements.

Any new lumps or thickening that feels different

from the same part of the other breast.
Nipple pulled into
areola

Any new changes in the nipple position, that is

Discharge or
Bleeding form the
nipple

pulled inwards, or pointing differently.

If you are aware of any change in your breast from what
is normal for you, consult your doctor as soon as
possible. There are many causes of changes in the
breast. Most of them are harmless, but all of them need
to be checked by a doctor to make sure that they are
harmless.

Moist or red areas around the nipple. Bleeding or

nipple discharge that is new and not milky.
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