Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in Singapore women and about 1000 women are diagnosed with the cancer annually. Women of all the 3 major ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay, Indian) are equally affected.
Significantly, the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer is increasing at an average of 3% annually. Women of all age groups are affected but are more common in women above 40 years old.
As the awareness for cancer heightens, there’re two major tests which women should always do to prevent and detect early signs of cancer.
1. Clinical Breast Examination.
It is important to check for breast lumps and all women should know how to conduct Breast Self Examination.
Who should go for breast examination?
-
40 years and below Monthly Breast Self Examination
Clinical Breast Examination yearly -
40 to 49 years Monthly Breast Self Examination
Clinical Breast Examination yearly
Mammogram yearly -
50 years and above Monthly Breast Self Examination
Clinical Breast Examination yearly
Mammogram every 2 years
Clinical breast examination (CBE) is a physical examination of your breasts by a trained medical or health professional. CBE includes inspection (looking) and palpation (feeling) of the entire breast/chest area including the lymph node areas above and below the collarbone and under each arm.
A small percentage of breast cancers are not detected by mammography but can be felt during a clinical breast examination. Therefore, it is important that a woman should have done both her mammogram and clinical breast examination.
Every women should do a self examination every month after their menstrual period. It is a good habit to cultivate and should you detect any lumps or have any doubts, do visit a doctor before it’s too late.
2. It is also important to do a PAP smear test.
This screening test can detect pre-cancerous changes or early cancer in the cervix. In its early stage, cervical cancer can be completely cured by simple treatment.
What is a Pap smear?
During a vaginal examination, a specimen of cells is obtained with a spatula from the cervical lining and examined under the microscope. If the Pap smear is abnormal, further tests are needed.
Who needs the Pap smear and how often should it be done?
All sexually active women between 20 and 70 years of age are advised to go for a Pap smear regularly. An initial smear is performed once a woman is sexually active and repeated after one year. After that, the Pap smear can be done every one to three years, as advised by the doctor.
Important : Don’t wait till it’s too late and think it’s never gonna happen to you. For more information, go to www.http://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/ . BE EDUCATED for your own good.