Booze and food taking their toll - Breast Cancer
General
No-one quite knows why there is an apparent increase in breast cancer, except there are modern lifestyle pointers - diet, obesity in post-menopausal women, alcohol excess and smoking.
The risk of breast cancer increases dramatically between the ages of 40 and 50, rising from one in 200 women at the age of 40 to one in 50 by age 50. It is unusual however, for women under 30 to have a cancerous tumour!
We should know about the dangers of cigarettes, but few realise that consuming too many fatty foods and red meat (especially if overcooked) and regularly drinking too much can also play a part in increasing the risk of breast cancer.
Our personal development - if menstrual periods began before the age of 11 years, or menopause is reached after 53 years old, for example - and our personal choices such as a first pregnancy after age 30 and not breast feeding, all can be factors that increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
Regular self-examination of our breasts is a great and simple, first stage home health check. Look out for changes in breast shape, lumps and differences in breast colour or appearance as part of a monthly routine. This is particularly important for younger women and a good discipline for all ages.
Don't panic if you do discover a breast lump, particularly if you are under 40 years old and don't have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. The lump is more likely to be non cancerous - only 10% of breast lumps seen by doctors in breast clinics are cancers. But for peace of mind, always consult your GP.
Not all breast tissue changes show up as lumps so mammography is an important screening process to check breast health and to catch any problems at the earliest stages.
-ends-
