Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched a campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women worldwide, accounting for 39% of all cancers in females in Qatar. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed in October every year.
The QCS awareness is titled “Let's Fight it Hand by Hand”.
Hiba Nassar, health educator at QCS, said: “The risk factors of breast cancer are family history or a previous personal history of breast cancer. About 5-10% of breast cancer cases are related to specific genes, early puberty (before 12 years), and menopause (after 55).
She referred to a set of preventable factors such as hormonal therapy, obesity, exposure to radiation, smoking and alcohol consumption, having the first child after the age of 30 years, no breastfeeding and a sedentary lifestyle.
The warning signs of breast cancer are a "persistent lump in the breast that may feel different from another breast tissue, one or more lumps in the armpit, changes in breast shape or size, breast skin changes such as redness, dimpling, hotness, visible veins or itching, nipple changes such as nipple turning inward, scaling or abnormal discharge, and nipple pain", she pointed out.
According to the official, early detection, regular physical activity for 20-30 minutes for five days a week, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption and breastfeeding for at least six months are some of the ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
“Visit your doctor and conduct breast examinations. Those who are 45 years old and above must undergo a mammogram test every three years. If you have warning signs of breast cancer at any age, don't hesitate to contact the breast cancer early detection call centre at the Primary Health Care Corporation, 8001112,”she added.
