Get to learn these important facts about breast cancer
1. Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women
As at today, breast cancer represents a quarter of all cancers and its prevalence is increasing. Since 2008, there has been a 22% increase in the incidence of breast cancer
2. Breast cancer is also the leading cause of cancer death amongst women.
A woman dies of breast cancer every single minute. An estimated 15.127 million years of life are lost globally to breast cancer.
3. Did you know that men also get breast cancer?
Men too suffer from breast cancer. However breast cancer in men represents only 1% of all male cancer disease.
4. Young people too get breast cancer
Being young doesn't mean you can't get breast cancer. Approximately one in five breast cancer cases are in women under the age of 50.
5. Diagnosing breast cancer early before it spreads to other parts of the body is very important.
Studies show that an estimated 98% of women diagnosed with early breast cancer live for at least five years. On the other hand, an estimated 24% of women diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer live for at least five years.
6. It is important to recognize the symptoms of breast cancer
Breast cancer symptoms include:
- A lump or swelling in the breast or armpit
- Change in the shape or size of the breast
- Skin dimpling in the breast
- Inverted nipple
- Eczema-like rash on the nipple
- Discharge from the nipple
7. It is also very important to know the risk factors for breast cancer
Some of the risk factors can be controlled and reduced. Risk factors like these include
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking
- Being overweight
Some risk factors however are unavoidable. These include
- Gender
- Age (80% of breast cancer occur in women over the age of 50 years)
- Family history (5% of people diagnosed have inherited one of the breast cancer genes; BRCA1, BRCA2 or TP53.
Source: Roche Healthcare