2. BREAST CANCER
AWARENESS
Dr.Tehmina Rehman
Assistant Professor of Gynaecology
and Obstetrics
HIT-IMS

5. • Many young girls are unaware of the possibility
of developing breast cancer as a young adult.
• Many changes occur in your breasts during your
lifetime so it is important to understand which
changes are normal and which are not.
• Also, some of us may be at a higher risk for
developing breast cancer.
• Become familiar with your breasts, know what is
normal for you, and learn how to spot changes
in your breasts.

6. • Many factors are linked to breast cancer risk
• Having a risk factor—or even several—doesn’t
mean you’ll definitely get the disease—it just
increases your chances.(and vice versa)

7. SOME STATISTICS: THE BAD
NEWS
• 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer
• (1% of the cases are in men)
• Every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with
breast cancer; every 13 minutes a woman dies
• Overall leading killer of women 40 -- 55

8. SOME STATISTICS: THE GOOD
NEWS
• 80% of breast lumps are benign
• 90% of early stage breast cancers are curable,
often with breast conserving treatments
• Less than 5% of breast cancer occurs in women
<40 years
• Over 2 million breast cancer survivors

9. PAKISTAN: THE BAD
NEWS
• Highest incidence of Breast cancer in Asia
• In Pakistan 40,000 women die every year
• Detected late in Pakistan
• 47 % of cases diagnosed are advanced

10. RISK FACTORS
Controllable
• Being overweight
• Never having children
• 1st child >30yrs of age
• Hormone Replacement
• Birth control pills (very slight)
• Being exposed to large amounts of radiation
• Diet
• Exercise
• Alcohol drinking/Smoking

11. RISK FACTORS
Uncontrollable
• Gender
• Getting old
• First degree relative with breast cancer
• Having an inherited mutation in the breast cancer
genes (BRCA 1 or 2)
• A previous breast biopsy showing atypical change
• Being young (<12) at the time of menses
• Starting menopause after age 55

12. THINGS TO REMEMBER
• Cancer is not a death sentence
• We do not know how to prevent breast cancer
• We can try to reduce risk
• Our only weapon is early detection

13. • WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
FOR RISK REDUCTION ?

14. REDUCE THE WEIGHT

15. EXERCISE

16. BALANCED DIET

17. BREAST FEEDING

18. WHAT YOU SHOULD
AVOID

19. ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES/HRT

20. ALCOHOL AND SMOKING

21. BENEFIT OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS
• Breast conserving surgery & Breast
reconstruction.

22. EARLY DIAGNOSIS: HOW?
• Practice breast self exams
• Have regular clinical breast exams
• Have regular mammograms
• MRI

23. • A Breast Exam should start at age 20
• Examining your breasts will help you to become
familiar with what is normal for you and learn
how to spot changes in your breasts that may
need to be reported to a doctor.

29. WHY DON’T MORE WOMEN
PRACTICE BSE?
• Fear
• Embarrassment
• Youth
• Lack of knowledge
• Too busy, forgetfulness

30. TROUBLE SIGNS THAT SHOULD
NOT BE IGNORED

31. FINDING A LUMP, HARD KNOT OR
THICKENING

32. UNUSUAL SWELLING, WARMTH,
REDNESS OR DARKENING

33. CHANGE IN SIZE OR SHAPE OF YOUR
BREAST

34. DIMPLING OR PUCKERING OF THE SKIN
OF YOUR BREAST

35. PULLING IN OF THE NIPPLE OR OTHER
PARTS OF THE BREAST

36. NIPPLE DISCHARGE THAT STARTS
SUDDENLY

37. FINDING AN ITCHY, SCALY SORE OR
RASH ON THE NIPPLE

38. PAIN IN ONE SPOT THAT DOES NOT VARY
WITH CYCLE

39. MAMMOGRAPHY
• X-ray of the breast

40. SONOMAMMOGRAPHY
• Ultrasound of the breast
• Usually if problem on mammography

41. CONFUSED???
• Know of your family history/risk factors
• Get to know your breast.
• Discuss what you should be doing with your
doctor

42. CONFUSED???
• Clinical Breast Exam should be performed every year
by a trained health worker after 40 year of age and at
least after every three years starting at 20 years
• Mammography every year after 40 or 45 years in
average risk cases: start at 30 years in high risk
and do MRI

43. PAKISTAN: THE GOOD NEWS
• Increased awareness
• One stop breast clinics

44. THANK YOU