10 Things You Always Wanted To Know About Breast Cancer - Part 3
7. I’ve heard that high levels of the hormone oestrogen play a part in getting the disease. But isn’t that a normal female hormone?
Yes, and in fact it is essential for all of us, including men. It doesn’t come down to some woman having “more” oestrogen than another, but some women may be more sensitive to it than others and is known to play a part in the development of breast cancer in some people. The drug tamoxifen can be highly effective in those cases, as it blocks the hormone’s action. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the role of oestrogen, but this is a major area of cancer research.
8. Is it possible for breast cancer to go away without being treated?
No. All our experts agreed that if you have it, you have to be treated for it.
9. But isn’t it likely to kill you anyway?
Certainly not! With screening an early diagnosis, more than 90 percent of women with breast cancer can be cured and lead a normal life says Executive Director of the National Cancer Society Malaysia. Deaths from breast cancer usually occur from the presence of secondary tumors, most commonly in the lungs, bones or liver, and if the breast tumor is treated quickly, the chances of developing secondary tumors are dramatically reduced.
10. Why does breast cancer have such a high profile, unlike say, lung cancer?
It’s partly because it has now overtaken any other form of cancer as the major cause of death for women. Most people know someone whose life has been touched by breast cancer, which goes some way to explaining its media profile.
The Second Report Of The National Cancer Registry, Cancer Incidence In Malaysia 2003 states that there were 2.738 female breast cancer cases that were reported in 2003, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Malaysia. Or accounted for 31 percent of newly diagnosed female cases in 2003.
Also, breast cancer charity events like Pink Ribbon Deeds (Pride), has had a lot to do with the high profile of its cause and has successfully highlighted issues related to the disease.
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