There are different kinds of breast cancer, with some being more aggressive than others.

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There are ways to manage different kinds of breast cancer, with most involving surgery and chemotherapy. 

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Your prognosis and outcome is far better if any problems are picked up in the early stage, so it is important to get your screening tests done regularly.

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RISK FACTORS

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There are some factors that can increase your risk of developing a breast tumour.

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Some you can change, like your lifestyle. People who are not active, are obese or smoke are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer.

 

Also, women on oral contraceptives, or who have a late first pregnancy, or no pregnancy, are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer as well.

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There are also some factors that you cannot change, such as having a history of cancer in the family, or having received radiation therapy for other tumours.

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SELF-EXAMINATION

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Do a self-examination every month.

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Feel each breast for any lumps, and look for any discharge from your nipples. Check your skin as well, to look for any redness, ulcers, or dimpling of the skin.

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See a doctor quickly if you notice anything out of the ordinary, and he or she will check you and send you for the necessary tests.

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MAMMOGRAM

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You can get a screening mammogram done to look for any abnormal calcifications or other abnormalities in the breast tissue, which may indicate an early tumour.

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Women aged 40 to 49 years old can go for one every year, and this can be reduced to once every 2 years from 50 years of age onwards.

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A mammogram can be a little uncomfortable, since there is some pressure applied to the breast with some plastic plates to spread the breast tissue out, to increase the accuracy of the mammogram. 

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WHAT HAPPENS IF IT IS ABNORMAL?

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Your doctor can send you for additional tests like an ultrasound or MRI scan of the breast, and refer you to a surgeon to have it managed.

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WHAT ABOUT OTHER TESTS?

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There are other tests that can be done to check the breast tissue, such as an ultrasound scan or MRI scan, but the current recommended type of screeening is with a mammogram.

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WRAP IT UP!

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It can be uncomfortable and inconvenient to go for a mammogram regularly, but it helps you detect any tumours before the lump can be felt. Get yourself checked today!