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.
Need a Female Doctors?
Our Clinics:
1.) Dr Tan and Partners @Bencoolen
Main Doctor: Dr Benjamin Loh
Address:
180 Bencoolen Street,
#02-20, The Bencoolen
Singapore 189646
Telephone: +65 6884 4119
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday
9.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday
9.00 am – 1.00 pm
Selected Public Holiday – Closed
2.) Dr Tan and Partners@ Robertson
Main Doctors: Dr Deepa and Dr Jonathan Ti
(Anonymous HIV Testing is available daily too)
Address:
11 Unity Street,
#02-06/07, Robertson Walk
Singapore 237995
Telephone: +65 6238 7810
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday
8.00am – 9.00pm
Saturday and Sunday
9.00 am – 2.00 pm
Public Holiday – Closed
3.) Dr Tan and Partners @Scotts
Address:
9 Scotts Road,
#06-06 Scotts Medical Centre,
Singapore 228210
Telephone: +65 6694 2348
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday
9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday
8.00 am – 1.00 pm
Sunday & Public Holiday – Closed
Click to read about these related topics:
Hey Gal friends! Our lady doctors have launched a health forum specially for women only!
If you have health tips or you need health advices, join us.
For Women. From Women
Click to read about these related topics:
Women Cancer Series: Breast Cancer – here
Women Cancer Series: Cervical Cancer – here
Women Cancer Series: Womb/Uterine Cancer – here