Medical

Breast cancer remains a critical public health concern, but rapid advancements in diagnosis and treatment have fundamentally changed the prognosis for patients worldwide. Experts now stress that early detection, coupled with increasingly personalised medical strategies, offers the best chance for a long, disease-free life.

The latest findings reveal that tackling modifiable lifestyle factors and engaging in routine screening are the most powerful tools women possess in mitigating their risk and ensuring the most favourable outcome should a diagnosis be made.

Understanding and reducing risk

The causes of breast cancer are complex and multifactorial. The single biggest risk factor is simply being female, with 99 per cent of cases affecting women. However, several other critical non-modifiable factors increase risk, including: a family or personal history of the disease; being aged over 50 years; not having children or choosing not to breastfeed: The early onset of menstruation coupled with late onset of menopause.

Crucially, lifestyle choices are also major contributors. These include the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, prior radiation treatment and the use of hormonal medications like contraceptives.

The good news is that women can significantly reduce their risk by living a deliberate lifestyle. This is characterised by eating healthily, exercising regularly and avoiding the aforementioned factors where possible.

The power of early detection

Early detection is paramount, as treatment is most effective when the tumour is small and localised. The goal of modern treatment is the complete elimination of cancer cells and providing a long disease-free life after recovery.

To achieve this, every woman of reproductive age is advised to perform a Breast Self-Examination (BSE) every month and to see her doctor once a year for a comprehensive medical and wellness check.

The doctor will then arrange the most appropriate screening tool based on the woman’s age and risk factors. These methods include blood tests, Ultrasound scans, X-ray or Mammogram. For special cases, highly specialised scans such as a CAT scan or MRI may be requested.

An expert noted: “A tumour detected and treated early gives the best outcome possible and enables a disease-free normal life.”

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Breast cancer remains a critical public health concern, but rapid advancements in diagnosis and treatment have fundamentally changed the prognosis for patients worldwide.