Breast Cancer 101:
Definition, Symptoms and Prevention

Reading Time: 6 minutes

It’ll never happen to me. At least that’s what you hope. If there’s no history of breast cancer in your family, do you need to worry?

The truth is, every woman should take breast cancer seriously because it’s one of the most common cancers. One in eight women will get breast cancer, and it’s affecting more and more young women, some even pregnant.

While modern medicine has improved, early detection can still mean the difference between life and death.

For everything, you need to know about breast cancer, read on, and use the quick links to jump ahead.

What is breast cancer?
What causes breast cancer?
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Who is most at risk?
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
How to prevent breast cancer?
When should you see a doctor?

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that forms in the tissue cells of the breast. It occurs most commonly in women. While most lumps are benign, some can change becoming cancerous. If left untreated, these lumps can spread to surrounding tissues and lymph nodes, making treatment challenging.

What causes breast cancer?

The two leading causes of breast cancer are genetics and the environment. Often, it’s the interaction of both, but most of the time, we do not know.

Like most cancers, breast cancer occurs when cells begin to grow abnormally or mutate. These abnormal cells divide and multiply quicker than healthy cells and clump together to form a mass or lump.

Breast cancer usually begins in the cells of the lobules where milk is produced. But it also occurs in the breast duct. These are the passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple. While uncommon, breast cancer can even begin in the stromal tissues of the breast.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

The signs and symptoms of breast cancer differ from one woman to the next. And for many women, there aren’t any warning signs.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t routinely check for any of the following symptoms:

• A hard lump or thickening in the breast tissue
• An inverted nipple (particularly one that was not always so)
• Bleeding from the nipple
• Changes in the size and shape of your breast (unrelated to weight gain)
• Dimpling, redness or pitting (changes to the skin of your breast)
• Changes to the pigmented area surrounding the nipple, so peeling, crusting, flaking or scaling
• Discharge from the nipple (unrelated to breast milk)
• Sore or painful breasts (unrelated to menstruation)

If you notice changes to your breast or discover a lump, contact your doctor to schedule an appointment. Alternatively, contact the Welwitschia Well Baby and Mother Clinic at +264 64 218 900 or email hello@welwitschiahospital.com to arrange for a breast examination by a Registered Nurse. The sooner, the better.

Who is most at risk?

Several factors can increase your chance of developing breast cancer, for example, genetics, your environment and hormones. But there are cases in which a low-risk candidate develops the disease.

While some of the following risk factors are avoidable, some aren’t.

• Age. As you get older, your risk of developing breast cancer increases, particularly in women 55 years and older.
• Dense breast tissue. It’s harder for mammograms to read dense breast tissue, and this can increase your risk.
• Genes. If you have the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, you have a much higher chance of developing breast cancer.
• Gender. Women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than men.
• Early menstruation. If you started your period before twelve years of age, you have a greater chance of developing breast cancer.
• Inherited risk/family history of breast cancer. If your mother, grandmother, sister or daughter has had breast cancer, you are at much high risk of developing it.
• Starting menopause late in life. Starting menopause after 55 years of age can increase your risk of developing breast cancer.
• Previously being diagnosed with breast cancer. If you’ve had breast cancer in one breast, then you’re at a much higher risk for developing cancer in the healthy breast.
• Non-cancerous breast lumps. If you’ve previously found benign lumps in your breasts, usually cysts or fibroadenomas, you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

Hearing the words, “Unfortunately, it’s breast cancer” is life changing. So, your doctor will perform a series of tests and procedures to be sure of their diagnosis. Here’s how.

• Your doctor will perform a breast exam, feeling the lymph nodes in your armpit and checking your breasts for abnormalities such as lumps.
• You will be sent for a mammogram which is an X-ray of your breasts. Mammograms can detect the smallest abnormality. If the doctor is concerned, they’ll send you for further tests.
• Your doctor might also advise that you have a breast ultrasound. Using sound waves and ultrasound can produce a picture of the structures of your breast. Doctors can view these images to determine if the abnormality is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid mass.
• For conclusive evidence, the doctor will recommend a biopsy of the breast tissue. Using a specialized needled, guided by an ultrasound, the doctor will exorcise a tissue sample to be later sent to a laboratory for analysis.  A small metal marker will be placed at the site of the breast where the cell was removed. The laboratory will determine if the biopsy is aggressive cancer if the cells have hormone receptors and what types of cells were extracted. This information can assist the doctor in choosing the best treatment.
• An MRI can also be used to form a picture of the breast interior.

In some cases, all tests will need to be performed to diagnose breast cancer conclusively. For others, one or two will suffice.

How to prevent breast cancer?

While you cannot prevent breast cancer, you might be able to reduce your chances of developing it. It’s however very important to note that despite taking all the preventative measures, women do still get breast cancer. Stats indicate that 60-70 percent of women with breast cancer had no risk factors, and 30-40 percent with risk factors never develop breast cancer.

So, whether or not you are a high-risk candidate for breast cancer, here are a few ways that you can be extra cautious:

1. Manage your weight

Increased weight gain after menopause can increase your risk of developing breast cancer. That’s why it’s so important to eat a well-balanced diet and exercise as this can help you to maintain a healthy weight.

2. Get active regularly

Whether that’s going to the gym or off-road cycling, yoga or walking, moderate to vigorous exercise can lower your chance of developing breast cancer. You want to be exercising between 150 and 300 minutes each week. Everything over that is a bonus.

3. Limit your alcohol intake

There is considered to be a link between alcohol consumption and an increase in breast cancer. As much as one glass a day can increase your risk of developing breast cancer, so limit your alcohol intake as much as possible.

4. Get yearly screenings

Mammograms are excellent for catching breast cancer in the early stage. They’re able to identify malignant lumps before they can be felt or other symptoms present. If your doctor deems you a high-risk case, then you should also arrange frequent visits and get regular mammograms.

5. Try to breastfeed for a couple of months

It’s believed that breastfeeding for several months can lower your risk of developing breast cancer.

6. Perform a breast exam at home

Every month, at the same time, perform a breast self-examination. Doing so allows you to familiarise yourself with the shape and size of your breast. It also helps you to pick up any changes as and when they occur.

7. Be informed about postmenopausal hormone therapy

Hormone therapy might increase your chance of developing breast cancer, so you must speak to your doctor about postmenopausal hormone therapy. Your comfort is essential, but you do need to consider the possible risks involved in taking these medicines.

8. Consider preventative treatments

If your mother, grandmother or a sibling has had cancer, or you’re considered to be a high-risk candidate, you can opt to have elective prophylactic surgery. This is the surgical removal of one or both breasts. It’s also referred to as a double mastectomy. This is a discussion that you should have with your doctor, getting all the facts before making your decision.

Also remember, with modern medicine, you don’t always have to have a mastectomy. If the cancer is detected early or it’s a specific type of breast cancer, you could avoid it entirely.

When should you see a doctor?

You know your body better than anyone else, so monitor it. Routinely examine your breasts at home, and if you notice changes to the shape, size, or colour, then book an appointment with your doctor. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family or are experiencing some form of discomfort around the breast area, call your doctor.

For your peace of mind, arrange a yearly check-up with your Gynaecologist or speak to one of ours. Find a list of gynaecologists resident practising at our hospital in Walvis Bay here. The specialists at Welwitschia Hospital are committed to delivering you the best care.