October kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer across the world and about 2.3 million women were diagnosed with the condition in the year 2020. Breast cancer also accounted for 685,000 deaths worldwide in the same year.
Some of the common signs and symptoms that one must look out for include: swelling or pain in breasts or part of it, nipple discharge, irritation, visible change in size or shape of breast, flakey skin on the breast and lump in underarm and breast area. It is estimated that by 2040 the incidence of breast cancer will increase by more than one third, to more than 3 million new cases per year, and breast cancer mortality will increase by more than one half. These increases will be driven mostly by demographic factors as populations age and lifestyle factors change, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Tests used to diagnose include breast exam, mammogram, breast ultrasound, biopsy. Once diagnosed by a doctor there are several procedures that can be used for treatment such as removing the breast cancer, removing the entire breast or removing several lymph nodes.
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