How To Prevent Breast Cancer

 Breast cancer is not just a disease for old women, it is no longer a disease that only affect older women, the younger one inclusive.

According to the National Registry of Disease Office (NRDO) is Singapore, about one in six women who suffer from breast cancer are under the age of forty five.

More than two thousand women are diagnosed each year, with six new cases added to the tally each day, consider that figure against this background.

In International studies furthermore, younger women tend to have more aggressive forms of breast cancer.

It was found that they include HER2 + subtypes, which spread quicker if untreated on time as well as triple negative breast cancer, which have limited treatment options.The women that are conducting breast self - examination or BSE are not that enough. 

The Breast Cancer Foundation (BSF) survey commissioned in 2017 revealed that; while nine out of ten Singaporeans regraded breast checks to be important, only 62% of women reported having ever done BSE. The survey also revealed that under 45 years women has expressed limited knowledge on breast cancer incidence .

 with ovarian and/or breast cancer according to BCF.

Starting menstruating at below age 12 is other risk  factor to be considered and when you had your first child after 30 or none at all. Your lifestyle and diet also play important role , such as a high - fat diet, alcohol consumption and a lack of exercise.

Still, not having the above risk factors does not mean you are free or you can neglect breast checks. Four out of five women who are diagnosed with breast cancer do not exhibit any of the aforementioned risk factors, highlighted.

SCANNING A QR CODE TO MAKE BSE MUCH EASIER FOR WOMEN.

You might want to consider just picking up your phone and scanning a QR code, if you still think doing BSE is troublesome after reading all that. Using the QR code takes users through easy-to- follow steps on how to perform a self examination at home. The instructions are accompanied with a form to request for a mammogram appointment and are available in English, Tamil, Malay and Chinese.

The earlier the cancer  is detected, the higher the survival rate. Early detection, along with advancements in treatment, has also bumped up the survival  rate over the years. A patient with stage 1 cancer has 90% of surviving the disease compared to a patient with stage 4 cancer , who may only have 25% survivability , according to the NRDO.

With about 30% of breast cancer still diagnosed in the 3rd and 4th stages, women are encouraged to make the first move and go for mammograms are another lifesaver.