World pink – world without breast cancer

Breast cancer screening for younger women

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago, and I was told that I fall in the high risk category for developing the disease. I am only 19 years old. What screaming methodes are suitable for younger women and when should I start undergoing screening?  
(Dewi Karyawati Sriningsih,July 2012).

Firstly, how  old is your mother? If the age at which forst degree (mother, sister, daugther) relatives have breast cancer is 40 years and above, the risk for breast cancer in a young woman is less.

If your mother is 45 years or older and just diagnosed with breast cancer then, assuming you have no breast cancer signs or symptoms, a mammogram is recommended every year or two from the age of 40 years.

At the age of 20 years, the most important tool you will need is breast self-awarennes. This means knowing how your normal breast look and feel, and how your menstrual cycle affects your breasts.

Then, if becomes a routine of doing self-checks (usually no more than once a month, after your period, and in a proper, systematic manner) to look for any changes to your breast. You can only spot changes if you know what is normal for you, because breasts are unique to the individual.

If you are confused because your breast texture feels like it is full of lumps, then an ultrasound is recommended to determine if it is normal texture or if growths are present. An ultrasound screening is best done at a radiology/imaging department. Nine out of 10 growths in the breast are not maligant, even if you have a family history of breast cancer.

Dr Evelyn Ho,

Consultant Clinical Radiologist ( Mahkota Medical Center, Malaka ) July, 2012.

If I could change one thing about condition now, It would be that a world without breast cancer. This is my big dreaming, because breast cancer was made far distance between my mother and me, so far and cant be togather more like before. My mother was passed away about  11 Months ago, 20^th may 2012 because of breast cancer stage 4. Making me fell so lonely in the multitude world. I love you mom, I miss you forever, there is no time that I was leaving without always remembering you in close to my heart.

Is it possible A world without breast cancer?  The fact shows to us that

-          Every three minutes, a women is diagnosed with breast cancer somewhere around the world

-          96 percent of women who get detected and treated early will survive. Early detection can save lives

-          Recent research confirms that women who are happy in their marriage are more likely to survive breast cancer, compared to women who are divorced or single. Women who are undergoing separation have the lowest survival rates.

We got trought it togather ! here four  survivors of breast cancer experience.

1.       Joana Tan, 40, Lawyer, she was detected breast cancer as stage 2 and that’s  made she was shocked. She said that ”The most common mistake women make is to think that ‘it won’t happen to me’.”

2.       Yasogee Pechumunthu, 46, Teacher. “Surviving breast cancer made me love my self more. It’s useless planning for the future if we don’t enjoy what we have today.”

3.       Saliza Khalid, 37, Campaign Planning Manager. “we may have to spend all our savings on the treatment, but my  husband told me, ‘Money means nothing if don’t have you’.”

4.       Jessy Tai Siew Huah, 50,Home maker. “It happened like it was planned. Now I believe even more in the “Bigger Plan” of our maker.”