Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women in Singapore!

Approximately 1 in 10 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and nearly 2000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Singapore.

Women’s Cancer Series – Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

There are many risk factors associated with breast cancer – these include:

 

1. Age

The older you are, the higher your risk of breast cancer. Most breast cancers affect women above 40 years of age.

However, breast cancers can occur in women as young as in their 20s.

 

2. Family History

A positive history of breast cancer in the family doubles your chances of having breast cancer, and should prompt earlier screening than the average population.

5-10% of breast cancers are also associated with inherited mutations in specific cancer genes, namely BRCA-1 and BRCA-2.

The presence of the BRCA mutation increases your chances of breast cancer by 4-5 times the normal population.

It also increase your risk of having other cancers, like ovarian cancer.

 

3. Diet and Lifestyle

A diet high in animal and saturated fats, and low in fibre can increase your chances of having breast cancer.

Smoking and alcohol intake can also contribute to your risk.

Physical exercise, and maintenance of a normal body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) help to regulate your body’s estrogen levels, thereby reducing your risk of breast cancer.

 

4. Reproductive History

Women who have never had children, or have their first child after the age of 35 years of age have an increased risk of breast cancer.

 

5. Menstrual History

If your menarche (onset of mensus) occurred before age 11, or if your menopause (cessation of mensus) occurred after age 55, your body has longer exposure to reproductive hormones, and thus increases your risk of breast cancer.

 

6. Medications

Prolonged use of estrogen and progesterone can increase your risk of breast cancer. These hormones are found in medications such as the oral contraceptive pill/birth control pills, and in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

 

Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer most commonly presents as a breast lump.

• Changes to the skin of the breast
• Breast tenderness/pain
• Nipple discharge
• Retraction of the nipple

 

Breast Cancer Screening

To protect yourself against breast cancer, regular screening is essential.

Women above the age of 50 should have a mammogram once every 2 years.

Women from the age of 40 -50 may choose to have a mammogram +/- a breast ultrasound on a yearly basis.

 

If you have a positive family history of breast cancer, speak to your doctor about the appropriate age to initiate early screening.

To find out more about how mammograms and ultrasounds are performed, click here.

Perform a regular Breast Self Examination. Click on the link to find out how to do it.