Early detection and knowing the risks go a long way in fight against disease

Dubai: If you smoke, you're a heavy drinker, you're over 50 years of age and have a family history of breast cancer, then you're at greater risk of contracting the disease.

But younger women, some in their 30's are these days also being diagnosed. In fact one in 200 women will develop it by the age of 40, according to Dr Yasser Sallam, oncologist at Al Zahra Hospital.

In the UAE, cancer is the third leading cause of death after traffic accidents and cardiovascular diseases. The most common cancers in the UAE are breast cancer and lung cancer. The other common registered cancers are thyroid, cervix, uterus and ovarian cancer.

But there's good news for women as early screening will literally help save your life. A mammogram is the best tool to screen for breast cancer, said the oncologist. He cites a random trial that proved that early diagnosis of breast cancer reduced deaths by between 20 to 30 per cent.

Many organisations recommend that women at average-risk should begin annual mammography sessions at the age of 40.

There's no danger of getting breast cancer if you take the pill (oral contraceptive), according to the doctor. He cites earlier studies which have shown there was a slight increase in the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer, but the pills used in these studies contained higher oestrogen doses than modern pills.

Women who carry a defective gene (BRCA mutation) or have been treated with radiation to the chest, should have annual screenings starting at the age of 30. A monthly breast self-examination is important for women in their 20's and 30's, says the doctor. Dr Sallam said the symptoms of breast cancer are new lumps or a thickening in the breast or under the arm.

Among a group of women diagnosed with breast cancer over a seven-year period, 78 to 90 per cent were expected to survive their disease at least five years. The increase in breast cancer survival is due to both screening and improved treatment, said the oncologist.

He adds that breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), followed by local radiation therapy has replaced radical mastectomy, as the preferred surgical approach for treating early-stage breast cancer.

The oncologist notes that many cancers are preventable. He quotes the American Cancer Society which recommends that:

‘You should be lean as possible without becoming underweight; be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day; avoid sugary drinks; eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes; limit consumption of red meats (such as beef and lamb) and avoid processed meats; stay tobacco-free; avoid alcoholic drinks; limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium).