Breast cancer risk is not limited to women only.

This form cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in South Africa, according to the 2023 National Cancer Registry, however, men are not immune from breast cancer risk.

“Anyone can be affected. However, the risk is higher for those who carry genetic mutations that predispose some families to certain types of breast cancer,” says Dr Britta Dedekind, a breast surgeon at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Hospital and a member of the Breast Interest Group of Southern Africa.

know your breast cancer risk

Although every woman is potentially at risk of getting breast cancer, certain factors increase the likelihood.

“Individuals with a family history of breast cancer before the age of 50 should start screening 10 years before their relative’s age at the onset of cancer. For those categorised as high risk, imaging may be recommended from as young as 30,” Dr Dedekind explains.

breast cancer risk factors

Age

The breast cancer risk increases as one gets older, however 1 out of 8 invasive breast cancers are found in women younger than 45.

Family history

Women with close blood relatives who’ve had breast cancer are at higher risk.

Personal history

A woman with cancer in one breast has a three to four times increased risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast.

Dense breast tissue

Women with dense breast tissue have more glandular tissue and less fatty tissue and thus a higher risk of breast cancer.

Overweight or obese women

Research has shown that being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast and other cancers.

Lifestyle

Excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, smoking and diets high in saturated fats contribute to risk.

Hormonal factors

Women who have not had a full-term pregnancy or have their first child after age 30 have a higher risk compared to women who gave birth before age 30. Breastfeeding, especially if for longer than a year, can lower breast cancer risk. Women who started menstruating before age 12 have a higher risk later in life. This is also true for women who go through menopause when they are older than 55. Some current or recent past users of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Discuss these factors with your primary healthcare practitioner or gynaecologist to determine whether earlier or more frequent screenings are required.

Also read our article on the rise of breast cancer in perimenopausal women.

signs and symptoms

Dr Sanjeev Hariparsad, a breast surgeon at Netcare Parklands Hospital’s Breast Clinic, says: “The most common symptom people notice first is a painless lump. We need greater public awareness to break the misconception that pain is the main symptom of breast cancer. In fact, pain is a very late symptom that may only present once the cancer is significantly more advanced,” he says.

“If left untreated, breast cancer will usually spread through the body to sites such as the lymph glands, lungs, bones and liver. These can result in bone pain, difficulty breathing, and other complications that become more complex to treat. This is why self-examination and screening, including mammograms and ultrasound, are crucial.”

Dr Dedekind adds: “All women should prioritise both self-examination and visiting their doctor or clinic for a breast examination by a trained healthcare worker, as this is often where the warning signs of breast cancer are first detected,” she recommends.

Spotting the early signs can save lives, and today’s advanced diagnostics, combined with cutting-edge treatments, offer hope like never before.

the importance of self-examination

“There is no substitute for carefully inspecting the breasts from all sides. Examine with arms up and arms down, standing in front of a mirror, and reclining on your back. It’s vitally important to become familiar with your breasts so that anything that looks or feels out of the ordinary can be checked by a healthcare professional as soon as possible,” says Dr Dedekind.

“It may be tempting to ignore little signs or attribute them to something harmless. However, it is not unusual for patients diagnosed with breast cancer to tell their doctors that they had been aware of something for months before making an appointment for a proper check-up. It has generally been found that the sooner breast cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat,” Dr Dedekind says.

self-examination steps

All women should perform breast self-examination from the age of 20 years onwards. Always self-examine at the same time of the month as the breast changes throughout the menstrual cycle. Ideally, this should be the week after your period when your breasts are less tender due to fluctuations in hormone levels.

Visual examination

Sit or stand, without clothing, in front of a mirror with your arms to your side and look for changes in size, shape, symmetry, puckering and dimpling.

Physical examination

To make it easier to feel, lie down so your breast tissue spreads out. Alternatively, examine while in the shower using soap to glide more easily over your breasts.

• Use the pads of your three middle fingers, not your fingertips, to examine.
• Apply different pressure levels.  Light pressure to feel the breast tissue closest to the skin. Medium pressure to feel deeper. Firm to feel the tissue closest to the chest and ribs.
• Use a methodical technique such as beginning near the collarbone, then moving towards the nipples, in a clockwork fashion.
• Allow enough time and don’t rush the examination.

“Examine one breast at a time and look out for any lumps or changes in the appearance of the breast, skin or nipples,” Dr Hariparsad adds.