CONNECTOR.AE 42 CONNECTOR.AE 43 Health and Wellness Health and Wellness which are non-cancerous cells, however, in some situations, lead to cancerous tumours. As prevention is better than cure, breast examinations can help in noticing any changes, and should be performed on the third or fifth day of a menstrual cycle. Dr Shweta Agarwal at Allied Medical Centre said, “Breast check-ups can be self-examination and assessment by a doctor. Monthly self-examinations should be done between days three and five of the cycle. Examination by the doctor should be done, in case of any concerns related to the breast or any unintentional weight loss. Breast examination should also be included in routine annual examinations with your family doctor.” To perform a self-examination, first look for changes in the mirror, like lumps, redness, and flaky skin, and then raise hands and repeat the same. Based on personal preference, self-check-ups can either be performed in the shower or while sitting or standing. To check for any lumps or swelling, press the fingers together and feel the breast in small circular motions, about the size of a coin. If any changes are noticed during the self-examination, it is advised to get a consultation from the doctor. At what age should people start checking for breast cancer? Breast cancer usually occurs in older women, from 40 years and older, however, in recent years, it is also prevalent in younger women. Self-examinations are a great preventative measure to take, that can be done in the comfort of the home for women of differing ages, and if there are any changes that are happens when cells in your breast grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, creating a mass of tissue called a tumour. Breast cancer can be of different subtypes and the treatment depends upon the molecular subtype of cancer. Signs of breast cancer can include feeling a lump in your breast, bloody discharge from the nipple, experiencing a change in the size of your breast and seeing changes to the skin on your breasts.” What are some of the early signs of breast cancer? As no two people are the same, with breast cancer, the symptoms and intensity can vary from person to person. However, there are some changes that are common in breast cancer, and if any changes are noticed in the breast, it is advised to get it looked at, to rule out the possibility of breast cancer or then start treatment earlier. Some changes to be mindful of that Dr Aida Bjelopoljak, Specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Dubai London Hospital added are: New lump in the breast or underarm Thickening or swelling of part of the breast Irritation or dimpling of breast skin Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area How often should people check for breast cancer and what are the steps for selfexaminations? It is important for all women to perform self-check-ups and visit a doctor, if there are any changes. Some lumps can be benign, Raising Awareness On Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Awareness Month is held every October to highlight the importance of early detection, through performing self check-ups and getting regular testing done. Early detection plays a critical role in treating breast cancer, as the sooner it is detected, the easier it is to treat. One of the most commonly detected types of cancer found in women is breast cancer, and according to the World Health Organisation, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with the life-threatening disease in 2020. Additionally, in a report released by the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE in 2019, more women were affected by cancer than men, with 20.2% of the cases being due to breast cancer. To raise awareness on the issue, Connector has asked doctors around the UAE, to share more insight into breast cancer. What is breast cancer? Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast begin to grow in an abnormal way. These cells grow more than healthy cells, and come together to form a tumour. When this takes place, there are symptoms that happen, indicating that there is a possibility of breast cancer. Dr Shweta Agarwal, Breast Radiologist at Allied Medical Centre said, “Breast cancer
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