Breast Cancer: Prevention Is Best 

Take care of your breasts by leading a healthy lifestyle, being more aware and going for regular breast screening.

Every woman should start early to check and monitor herself for breast cancer. You can start doing a monthly Breast Self Examination (BSE) from the age of 20 – the best time to do this is right after your menstrual period. If you are aged 40-49, go for a mammogram once every year; and if you are 50 and above, a mammogram should be done once every two years.

Warning signs

• A lump in the breast, or in the underarm region, which could be a swollen lymph gland
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• Changes at the nipple/areola such as discharge, persistent rash or nipple retraction

BREAST MRI – more than a simple screening tool

Breast MRI is especially useful:

As a screening tool in women at very high risk of breast cancer. Such women have a strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, are carriers of mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes (breast cancer susceptibility genes), or  have received radiation therapy to the chest before the age of 30.

To determine the extent of breast cancer in some women considering breast-conserving surgery, as it gives a more accurate assessment.

To determine the response of the breast cancer to chemotherapy before surgery in women with larger tumours.

New treatments

• Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in early stage breast cancer. SLNB is
  minimally invasive – provides accurate assessment of the lymph glands in the
  arm and reduces the risk of complications.
• Targeted therapy such as Trastuzumab, which unlike chemotherapy specifically targets cancer cells. Because of this, Trastuzumab is generally well tolerated and does not have the typical adverse effects associated with chemotherapy.

Special thanks to the Department of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore
National Cancer Centre Singapore’s holistic and comprehensive range of clinical services includes oncologic imaging, surgical and medical treatments, radiation, hormonal and biological therapies. www.nccs.com.sg

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