Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Author 
 Bayan Alahmadi, 

 

Did you know that more than half of breast cancer cases in Saudi Arabia are detected at advanced stages?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is not just a campaign in pink, but an opportunity to remind every woman of the importance of knowing the risk factors, paying attention to any unusual changes, and most importantly: not waiting for symptoms to appear before undergoing the appropriate screening.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, and the importance of early detection increases with age. Early detection programs target women aged 40 to 69, according to the Saudi Ministry of Health.

Why is early detection important?

Breast cancer may not cause obvious symptoms in its early stages, and this is where the importance of screening lies.

A mammogram can help detect some changes and tumors before a woman or doctor can feel them. The Saudi Ministry of Health explains that early detection can increase the cure rate to more than 95% and contribute to reducing deaths by up to 30%.

Therefore, do not let the absence of symptoms be a reason to postpone screening.

Symptoms:

Breast cancer does not show symptoms in most cases in its early stages, but symptoms appear when it grows and develops. Breast cancer sometimes causes changes in the appearance or feel of the breast, and these changes include the following symptoms and signs:

• A lump in the breast or armpit area that was not previously present, or a lump that has changed.
• A change in the shape or size of the breast.
• New, persistent pain that does not go away in the breast or nipple.
• Peeling, redness, swelling, dimpling, or wrinkling in an area of the breast or nipple skin.
• Changes in the appearance of the nipple (an inverted nipple that was not previously inverted).
• Nipple discharge.

If any of these symptoms appear, you should see a doctor, and these symptoms are often caused by other conditions rather than cancer.

What are the risk factors for developing breast cancer?

Some factors may increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer, including:

• Advancing age.
• A family history of breast cancer.
• Certain genetic factors.
• Overweight and obesity.
• Lack of physical activity.
• Previous exposure to radiation.
• Some hormonal treatments.
• Some factors related to reproductive health.

Having a risk factor does not mean that developing breast cancer is inevitable, and cancer can also occur in people who do not have clear risk factors.

Remember that breast self-examination helps you become familiar with your breasts and notice new changes, but it does not replace a mammogram when screening is recommended for you.

Prevention: Although breast cancer cannot be avoided, the risk of developing it can be reduced through specific preventive activities, which include making changes to lifestyle and diet, engaging in physical activity, avoiding obesity, and preventive interventions for women at high risk of developing breast cancer using tamoxifen and other anti-estrogen medications.

Early detection: It is considered the most important and beneficial area of protective activities. The diagnosis of breast cancer at an early stage has been positively associated with a reduction in the mortality rate caused by the disease.

Make awareness a habit, not a season

October may be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but caring for your health should not wait for October.

Know your risk factors, learn about the screening appropriate for your age and condition, and do not ignore any new change.

Early detection is not just a screening test, but a step that may make a difference in the journey of treatment and recovery.

Sources

Saudi Ministry of Health – Breast Cancer
Saudi Ministry of Health – Early Detection of Cancer
Saudi Ministry of Health – Mammography
Saudi Ministry of Health – Breast Cancer Awareness

Disclaimer

This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor is it intended to promote the treatment or prevention of any disease. Please consult a physician, pharmacist, or qualified healthcare professional before using any dietary supplement, particularly if you have a medical condition or take medications.