MAMMOGRAM DUBAI – GET TO KNOW SOME SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER

Mammogram Dubai | 20 February 2022

Every woman should know how her breasts normally look and feel, so she can recognize any changes that may occur.“While knowing what to look for is important, a woman should still get her regular mammograms and clinical breast exams, as these tests can help detect breast cancer before she even has symptoms.

Signs of breast cancer may include:

– Lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)

– Swelling or thickening of all or part of the breast

– Dimpling or skin irritation of breast skin

– Localized, persistent breast pain

– Redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin

– Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)

– Any change in the size or shape of the breast

Breast cancer risk factors

The main risk factors for breast cancer include being a woman and getting older (most breast cancers are found in women ages 55 and older). Uncontrollable factors that may increase risk include personal/family history, race, breast density and menstrual period history. In addition, having changes in certain breast cancer genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) increases the risk of developing breast cancer.

Certain risk factors are lifestyle-related, including the use of birth control pills, hormone therapy after menopause, having children, drinking alcohol, being overweight or obese, and not being physically active. Having one or several risk factors does not mean a woman will develop breast cancer. Women need to become familiar with all of the risk factors. For those they can control, they need to make smart lifestyle decisions that can lower the risk.

To lower risk of breast cancer

– Get to and stay at a healthy weight. Balance your food intake with physical activity to avoid excess weight gain.

– Be physically active. Every week, get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity (or a combination of these).

– Limit or avoid alcohol. Dr. Barbara Karin Vela recommends that women have no more than one alcoholic drink per day.

Dr Barbara Karin Vela is an International Member of Royal College Of General Practitioners, UK

Mammogram Dubai | 20 February 2022