BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer is a growing health problem in South Africa. Apart from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 26 in South Africa.1

SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER CAN INCLUDE:2

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RETRACTION OF NIPPLE

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DISCHARGE FROM
NIPPLE

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CHANGE IN SHAPE
OF THE BREAST

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DIMPLING OF
BREAST AROUND
NIPPLE

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NIPPLE
DISCOLOURING
REDNESS OR
SWELLING

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LUMPS IN OR
AROUND BREAST

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PUCKERING OF
SKIN

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EARLY DETECTION OF BREAST CANCER MAY SAVE LIVES

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RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER CAN INCLUDE:3

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+ 50 YEARS

The strongest risk factor is age. Although breast cancer can occur at any age, risk goes up as a woman gets older. Most women who develop breast cancer  are older than 50.

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+ PERSONAL HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER

Women who have had breast cancer in one breast are more likely to get it in the other breast.

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FAMILY HISTORY

Having a mother, sister, or daughter who has had breast cancer increases a woman’s risk.

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TAKING HORMONES OESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE

Using menopausal hormonal therapy containing both oestrogen and progestin for more than 5 years.

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MENSTRUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HISTORY

You have higher risk if YOU got your first menstrual period before age 12, reached menopause after age 55 or never had children or had children after age 30.

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OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE

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INHERITING HARMFUL GENE MUTATIONS LIKE BRCA1 AND BRCA2

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LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

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DRINKING ALCOHOL

References: 1. South African National Cancer Registry. Cancer in South Africa 2012 Johannesburg. www.ncr.ac.za. Accessed October 2020. 2. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, womenshealth.gov. Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer Symptoms. Available at: http://www.womenshealth.gov/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-symptoms/index Last accessed April 2017. 3. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, womenshealth.gov. Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention. Available at: http://www.womenshealth.gov/breast-cancer/risk-factorsprevention/ index Last accessed April 2017.