KUALA LUMPUR — Breast cancer and ovarian cancer are known to have different signs, risk factors and prevention measures where about 49,000 people in Malaysia were estimated to be newly diagnosed with different types of cancer in 2020 and the figure is expected to increase to 66,000 new cases annually by 2030.
Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) in a statement said women should have adequate knowledge regarding breast and ovarian cancer as the risk of developing these type of cancer increases with age.
SMCV Consultant for Breast, Endocrine and General Surgeon Dr Suziah Mokhtar said that the overall lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is one in 27 women, but this probability increases if they have first degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) or multiple family members who have had breast or ovarian cancer.
“Most breast cancers are sporadic where the cancer develops from gene damage that occurs by chance in adulthood. There is no risk of passing these genes onto their children. Inherited cancer only makes up five to 10 percent of all breast cancers and occurs when gene mutations or alterations such as BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2 are passed down from parent to child. “The underlying cause is multifactorial and is usually the result of a combination of internal physiology, hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors,” she said in the statement.
Dr Suziah said some of the more common types of breast cancer has the ability to spread, and some are localized in its place of origin. Majority of breast cancers arise from the milk duct, with invasive ductal carcinoma being the most common, accounting for 70 to 80 percent breast cancers.
She said breast lumps are the most common symptom among breast cancer patients followed by nipple abnormalities and pain within breast areas.
“Lesser known symptoms include lumps in the armpit (usually mistaken as a normal lymph node), skin changes (usually mistaken for eczema or allergy) or symptoms related to cancer spreading to other organs such as to the lung causing coughing or shortness of breath; to the liver leading to jaundice, ascites and to the brain causing persistent headaches,” she said.
Mammogram is the most common screening test for breast cancer for women aged 40 and above and have led to a 20 percent reduction in deaths while younger women should consider ultrasound screening where high-risk individuals should start doing their screening from the age of 30.
Dr Suziah said treatment is always individualized, which includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy and targeted therapy.
“The earlier the breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of a successful treatment. It is important to check your breasts regularly. It is easier to spot anything unusual in one’s breast if the person knows how her breasts normally look and feel,” Dr Suziah said.
Meanwhile, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist of SMCV Dr Wong Yen Shi said only about 20 percent of ovarian cancers are detected at an early stage, because there are no screening or test developed to screen for early treatment.
“As for now, the transvaginal scan and CA 125 tumour marker tests are used to detect, but with limitations. The former can detect masses, but it can be difficult to differentiate a benign tumour from a malignant one, whereas the latter is a good test to monitor treatment but not for screening purposes,” she said.
Dr Wong added, ovarian cancer symptoms include bloating, abdominal discomfort, urinary frequency, constipation, feeling full quickly, loss of weight, fatigue and back pain. This cancer can be mistaken for benign ovarian tumours, uterine fibroids, endometriosis and premenstrual syndromes.
She said, the risk factors one can be beware for includes having a family history of breast, ovarian and colorectal cancers, familial cancer syndromes such as BRCA genes and Lynch syndromes as well as increase in age and overweight or obese.
Apart from the aforementioned factors, smoking, exposure to asbestos, women undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT), nulliparous (never given birth to a child), having children at a later age, early menstrual and late menopause are included among the factors of ovarian cancer.
“Routine medical check-ups and preventive screenings for diabetes, cholesterol, cardiac health, breast and cervical screenings should be done. It is important to eat healthy and exercise regularly, managing your mental health, getting sufficient sleep and managing stress is also a good way to take care of your health as a whole,” she said.
In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, SMCV is providing breast cancer screening and other female health screening packages, as well as taking part in Sunway Healthcare Group’s campaign in providing free mammogram screenings for eligible patients and freebies giveaway.
SMCV is also collaborating with female-centred brand for a community engagement event with hope that this will spark greater conversation amongst women and provide them with the opportunity to be in control of their health.
SMCV hopes to assist women in understanding their breast and gynaecological health better to rule out potential health issues and get the necessary treatment as early as possible to stand a better chance at recovery.
— BERNAMA
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