October is pink: breast cancer awareness

October is internationally celebrated as breast cancer awareness month
Many campaigns are organized by ngo’s and government organizations , these campaigns allows the issue to be highlighted as a top priority , with the disease affecting many women in their lives.
Breast cancer awareness is an effort to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatment.
The goal of this campaign is to raise the public’s “brand awareness” for breast cancer , its detection , its treatment and the need for a reliable , permanent cure.
In many countries the month of October is national breast cancer awareness month (nbcam) and was begun in 1985 by American cancer society.
As a result of awareness ,breast cancers are being detected at an earlier and more treatable stage.
The “pink Ribbon” is the most prominent symbol for breast cancer awareness
It encourages the sufferings to built faith in scientific progress on cure of ca breast.
Moreover it also help them to understand the support of society towards them.
After these efforts breast cancer is not remains a stigma anymore.
Ca breast is the most common type of cancer i women worldwide.
source : breast cancer research foundation Us
Among cancers affecting women , 25% of cases are breast cancer. Ca breast is the main cause of death in female cancer patients worldwide.
If diagnosed and treated early .one third of these deaths can be prevented , meaning that 400,000 women could be saved each year.
Early stage diagnosis of ca breast can increase the survival rate significantly.
Breast cancer can also be diagnosed in males but it is very rare. Ratio is 1:100.
Pakistan has highest incidence rate of breast cancer than other Asian countries , 90,000 new cases are diagnosed every year out of which 40,000 dies.
1 out of every 9 women is likely to suffer from this disease at any point of time in their lives.
Source: journal of Pakistan medical association
The biggest reason of the highest prevalence of ca breast in Pakistan is lack of awareness , and it creates a delay in detection and most of the cases are reported at stage iii.
Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumor. If left unchecked, the tumor can spread throughout the body and become fatal.
Breast cancer cells begin inside the milk ducts and/or the milk-producing lobules of the breast. The earliest form (in situ) is not life-threatening. Cancer cells can spread into nearby breast tissue (invasion). This creates tumors that cause lumps or thickening.
Invasive cancers can spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs (metastasize). This Metastasis can be fatal.
There are five stages of breast cancer, including 0 (zero) through 4, written as 0, I, II, III, and IV. The higher the number, the more the cancer has spread. The cancer is staged when you are first diagnosed.
The stage of breast cancer helps in planning of treatment.

1. October is pink Breast cancer awareness DR SHAMAILA AYUB MBBS, FCPS (General Surgery) Associate Professor, United Medical and Dental College

2. DEDICATED TO THE SURVIVORS AND Those who are battling

3. “the only person who can save you is you” Sheryl crow

4. October is breast cancer awareness month October is internationally celebrated as breast cancer awareness month Many campaigns are organized by ngo’s and government organizations , these campaigns allows the issue to be highlighted as a top priority , with the disease affecting many women in their lives.

5. Breast cancer awareness is an effort to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatment. The goal of this campaign is to raise the public’s “brand awareness” for breast cancer , its detection , its treatment and the need for a reliable , permanent cure. In many countries the month of October is national breast cancer awareness month ( nbcam ) and was begun in 1985 by American cancer society. As a result of awareness ,breast cancers are being detected at an earlier and more treatable stage .

6. The “pink Ribbon” is the most prominent symbol for breast cancer awareness It encourages the sufferings to built faith in scientific progress on cure of ca breast. Moreover it also help them to understand the support of society towards them. After these efforts breast cancer is not remains a stigma anymore.

7. Ca breast is the most common type of cancer i women worldwide. source : breast cancer research foundation Us Among cancers affecting women , 25% of cases are breast cancer. Ca breast is the main cause of death in female cancer patients worldwide. If diagnosed and treated early .one third of these deaths can be prevented , meaning that 400,000 women could be saved each year. Early stage diagnosis of ca breast can increase the survival rate significantly. Breast cancer can also be diagnosed in males but it is very rare. Ratio is 1:100. statistics

8. Pakistan has highest incidence rate of breast cancer than other Asian countries , 90,000 new cases are diagnosed every year out of which 40,000 dies. 1 out of every 9 women is likely to suffer from this disease at any point of time in their lives. Source: journal of Pakistan medical association The biggest reason of the highest prevalence of ca breast in Pakistan is lack of awareness , and it creates a delay in detection and most of the cases are reported at stage iii.

9. What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumor. If left unchecked, the tumor can spread throughout the body and become fatal. Breast cancer cells begin inside the milk ducts and/or the milk-producing lobules of the breast. The earliest form (in situ) is not life-threatening. Cancer cells can spread into nearby breast tissue (invasion). This creates tumors that cause lumps or thickening. Invasive cancers can spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs (metastasize). This Metastasis can be fatal.

10. Stages of breast cancer There are five stages of breast cancer, including 0 (zero) through 4, written as 0, I, II, III, and IV . The higher the number, the more the cancer has spread. The cancer is staged when you are first diagnosed. The stage of breast cancer helps in planning of treatment. Breast cancer stage is the most important factor for prognosis (chance of survival). In general, the earlier the stage, the better the prognosis will be.

11. Breast cancer staging Pathologic staging is the standard way to stage breast cancer. It’s based on a pathologist’s study of the tumor tissue and any lymph nodes removed during surgery. Clinical staging includes results from a health care provider’s physical exam, tests and/or imaging, such as mammography. Sometimes, these findings may add to the pathologist’s findings and may help with staging.

12. TNM system of staging The main method of pathologic staging for breast cancer is the TNM system. TNM stands for: T = Tumor size N = Lymph Node status (the number and location of lymph nodes with cancer) M = Metastases (whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body) A “p” before the T or N shows these are pathology findings from the tumor or lymph nodes removed during surgery. In the past, tumor stage was classified using only the 3 TNM measures. Starting in 2018, the TNM system added these measures: Tumor grade Estrogen receptor status Progesterone receptor status HER2 status

13. Sign and symptoms Breast cancer can have combinations of symptoms, especially when it is more advanced. Most people will not experience any symptoms when the cancer is still early. Symptoms of breast cancer can include: a breast lump or thickening, often without pain change in size, shape or appearance of the breast dimpling, redness, pitting or other changes in the skin change in nipple appearance or the skin surrounding the nipple (areola) abnormal or bloody fluid from the nipple

14. A new area of thickening in the breast or a new breast lump. A lump in the axilla/armpit area Nipple distortion Bloody discharge from nipple Skin retraction or dimpling Fixation of skin to an underlying lump Skin redness Skin thickening especially around the nipple area Feeling of warmth over an area of skin which is already thickened and red Skin ulcer or blister that does not heal Skin rash over the breast especially around the nipple with lesions that do

15. Myths & facts myths Breast cancer only occur at old age. Women with family history of breast are the one who can get breast cancer. Women with more than 1 risk factor are more vulnerable towards ca breast. Routine mammogram exposed us with too much radiations leads to ca breast. facts All women are at risk of ca breast Actually most women who get breast have no family history Majority of women diagnosed have no known risk factor. The small level of radiation from mammograms are considered safe with the benefits outweighing the risk.

16. Wearing push up bras can cause breast cancer People with breast implants cant underwent for mammogram Carrying cell phone near your chest can cause ca breast. Using underarm antiperspirant or perfumes. Breast cancer always causes a palpable lump. Breast cancer is contagious. Healthy life style and exercise can prevent it. Drinking too much coffee increase the risk Women with small breast tissue are safe Breast cancer diagnosis means complete mastectomy.

17. Risk factors Controllable Physical activity Weight and diet Reproductive history Alcohol and smoking Hormonal intake Uncontrollable Genes radiations Dense breasts Menstrual history Family history age

18. Guidelines for people at risk Test/age group 1. Self breast examination 2. Clinical breast examination 3. mammogram 25 -39 years Monthly Yearly Not needed 40 and above Monthly Yearly yearly

19. Breast cancer diagnosis Breast ultrasound Mammogram Magnetic resonance imaging ( m r i ) breast Clinical breast examination Biopsy Self examination

20. BREAST SELF EXAMINATION (BSE) BSE IS A USEFUL AND ESSENTIAL SCREENING STRATEGY EVERY FEMALE HAVE TO BE Familiar with her breast Almost 20% of breast cancers are detected by physical examination rather than mammography It helps in early detection of changes in breast tissues

21. When to do bse ? First bse is recommended after first menstrual cycle (menarche) Monthly examination of breasts and underarm area ONE WEEK AFTER PERIODS IN POSTMENUPAUSAL WOMEN SAME DATE OF EACH MONTH IN PREGNANT WOMEN SAME DATE EACH MONTH

22. Why don’t women avoid bse ? Fear Embarrassment Young age Lack of knowledge Social taboos Too busy negligence

23. Treatments available for breast cancer Breast cancer treatment can include a combination of all or some of the following treatments: Life style modification Surgery or removal of affected tissue Radiotherapy Chemotherapy Anti-hormone therapy Targeted therapy

24. Structural Lack of financial resources Apathetic medical services Socio-cultural Feminine sensitivity Stigmatization Aversion to male doctors Individual Lack of awareness Spiritual healing Hesitation in acceptance of disease Lack of Social support Fears and barriers in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in pakistan

25. No taboos , fears and barriers are worth taking human life

26. Fortunately breast cancer is preventable up to 40% by lifestyle modification Healthy life style Good nutrition Physical activeness Good Immunity Balance diet with appropriate portions of protien and carbs

27. HELPLINES HOSPITALS AND CLINICS FIRST LADY SAMINA ARIF ALVI INAUGURATED THE NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS HELPLINE : 0213-873-7373 HOSPITALS: JINNAH HOSPITAL,AKU HOSPITAL , KIRAN HOSPITAL , NAVAL HOSPITAL , SHAUKAT KHANUM MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PINK RIBBON PAKISTAN : IT IS PAKISTAN’S FIRST EVER APP FOR BREAST CANCER

28. QUESTIONS