BREAST CANCER: EARLY DIAGNOSIS IS THE KEY

The good news is that with advances in treatment and diagnosis, more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before. These days, about 84 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer will be alive 5 years on.

You will probably never develop breast cancer — but if you do, finding it early will increase your chances of effective treatment.

What should I look for?
Look for any changes in your breasts that are not normal for you. Breast cancer is usually first noticed as a painless or painful lump anywhere in the breast or under the arm.

Occasionally, its symptoms may not be very noticeable and may include:

. redness or hardness in the breast;
. breast pain;
. changes to the shape of the nipple or breast;
. itchy nipple;
. bloody discharge from the nipple; or
. changes in the skin overlying the breast, making it resemble the skin of an orange, or a change in colour.

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
The risk of developing breast cancer is increased with the following factors.

Age.
* Being Caucasian.
* Early onset of menstruation (before the age of 12).
* Late menopause (after the age of 55).
* A family history of breast cancer, especially for mothers, daughters and sisters of women with breast cancer prior to menopause.
* Having your first pregnancy after the age of 30 or never having breastfed.
* Exposure to radiation.
* A proven genetic mutation (BRCA1 or BRCA2).
* Having had cancer in one breast increases the risk for cancer in the other breast.
* Drinking alcohol every day, especially more than two standard drinks.
* Smoking, for women who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancers.
* Putting on excess weight as an adult, especially if gained after the menopause.
* Having taken DES (diethylstilboestrol).
* Having had certain types of fibrocystic breast changes.
* Having had cancer of the uterus.
* Taking combination hormone replacement therapy (oestrogen and progesterone) for more than 5 years.

Other possible risks that may be associated with breast cancer include:

* A high-fat diet;
* oestrogen replacement therapy; and
* long-term oral contraceptive use.
Despite the good news for survival, each year in Australia more than 10,000 women are still diagnosed with breast cancer and about 2500 die from breast cancer.

The earlier breast cancer is found, the more likely it can be successfully treated. If you notice any changes to your breasts, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. While most breast changes are not due to cancer, it is important to check.

BreastScreen Australia states that regular 2-yearly mammograms are the best way for women aged 50-69 to detect breast cancer early, which improves the chances of successful treatment and recovery. BreastScreen Australia provides free screening mammograms to all women aged over 40 years, and specifically targets women aged 50-69 years.

Why does early diagnosis make a difference?
Breast cancer begins with changes in some of the cells in the breast. As the cancer grows, some of the cells may spread from the breast to other parts of the body.

If the cancer cells are only in the breast and have not spread to other parts of the body, it is likely they can be completely removed and not be a threat to your life.

When breast cancer is found early, before it has spread, women have a much greater chance of successful treatment and more treatment choices.

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