Breast Cancer Awareness 101

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. If found early, it is also very treatable. You can protect yourself against breast cancer by learning more about it, this October.

Know about the non-modifiable risk factors

Making positive life style changes can protect us from cancer and other diseases. But Non-modifiable risk factors are those things we cannot change, like our age, ethnicity and genetic background. This can make us more susceptible to contracting certain diseases. In which case, we need to take extra care. Some of the non-modifiable risk factors of breast cancer include:

• A family history of breast cancer (possessing breast cancer associated genes BRCA 1 and 2)
• Delayed first child bearing (after the age of 30), or no chid bearing at all
• A late onset of menopause (after the age of 50)
• An early onset of periods (before the age of 12)

If any of these apply to you or someone you know, you must take better care of yourself and/or them. Watch our breast cancer advice video below, and read our tips on ways you can protect yourself from breast cancer.

Advice from our Breast Cancer Specialists

Watch the video by Dr. Sumera Butt, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Shaukat Khanum Hospital. Here, she addresses breast cancer misconceptions and the importance of early detection.

Breast Cancer Prevention Tips

Here are some life style changes you can make to better protect yourself from breast cancer. And remember, remain breast cancer aware every day and not just for one month out of the year. You are precious. Make a promise today to take care of yourself, and share these tips with all the precious women you know.

• Avoid EDCS. Based on research, avoiding synthetic chemicals in cosmetics, cleaning and personal care products can reduce your risk of breast cancer. Many synthetic chemicals have been linked to common health problems. Some of these are Endocrine Disrupting Hormones (EDCs), which can interfere with hormones to increase risk of breast cancer. Click Here to find out more about EDCs.

• Maintain your optimum BMI. Obesity is the root of many potentially fatal health problems including cancer.

• Get regular exercise. Research shows that having high levels of some hormones can increase your risk of cancer. Regular exercise can keep your hormone levels at a healthy balance. Even a brisk walk for 30 mins a day will do you wonders.

• Breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding has been proven to have a protective effect against breast cancer. Breast is also best for your baby. So for all the (potential) mothers out there, don’t miss out on this miraculous gift of nature, which can protect you and your baby from disease.

• Eat healthy. Maintaining a balance diet can reduce your risk of breast cancer. Make sure you have a good intake of antioxidants, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, green tea and fish. Also, avoid alcohol consumption and drink lots and lots of water.

• Take extra care with HRT. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) used to manage symptoms of menopause can potentially cause breast cancer. Avoid them if you can or make sure you have regular medical check-ups and mammograms.

• Quit smoking. Smoking is one of the leading causes of nearly 15 types of cancer, including breast cancer. Quit it before it’s too late, and avoid passive smoking where you can.

Find Out about the non-modifiable risk factors of breast cancer and what to do if they apply to you. 

Find out how you can sponsor the full or partial treatment of a breast cancer patient at Shaukat Khanum Hospital.