Went for an educational office lunch-time talk about breast cancer awareness last Friday, which was well-attended. Kudos to the people who organised the talk. :-)
The most moving part of the talk for me was the sharing by a breast cancer survivor. She spoke about the following:
+ How she felt when she first heard the news (the crash that followed when she had questions like "why me" and "what will happen to my husband and my two young kids if I die")
+ What she had to go through, the emotional and physical pain, as well as the tremendous support from fellow breast cancer survivors through the Breast Cancer Foundation in Singapore
+ The removal of her breasts and the reconstructive surgery that followed
+ How she had to struggle with her identity as a woman when all her "woman assets" were removed, including her ovaries (estrogen produced by ovaries feeds cancer growth)
+ How Angelina Jolie made her famous. She, too, carries the BRCA1 gene and was interviewed by The Straits Times after Jolie announced her double mastectomy
+ How she is carrying on with her life - Everest base camp (done), marathon (done), mini-triathlon (done), and her list goes on. An interesting point: the repetitive motion in paddling during dragon boat racing helps in recovery after reconstruction surgery, and the foundation has a dragon boat racing team of breast cancer survivors.
My reflection: It is difficult to talk to complete strangers about surviving breast cancer because in speaking about the experience, one needs to again face certain feelings, thoughts and emotions that one had gone through then. So kudos to her for her courage in sharing her experience so that others like me can benefit. Her experience also highlights the importance of a strong support network in terms of going through the ups and downs of life. If you need help, tell someone, call someone, text someone or meet someone. Reach out so that others can reach out to you.
The following information has been taken from the Breast Cancer Foundation website.
Protect Yourself Against Breast Cancer
1. Practise a healthy lifestyle.
- Be physically active. Exercise 3 - 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in fats with an emphasis on good fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) over bad fats (saturated and trans fats).
- Limit alcohol intake to less than one alcoholic drink a day.
- Breastfeed children instead of formula feeding them (if possible).
2. Be aware of breast cancer and its symptoms.
3. Screen yourself for breast cancer regularly.
Early detection offers more treatment options and a better chance of survival and recovery. Take charge of your own breast health and detect changes in your breast through:
- Breast Self Examination
- Clinical Breast Examination (by a healthcare professional)
- Mammography
Never be afraid to examine your breasts or to have them examined. Finding out that you do not have breast cancer is more important than the time and effort required for an examination, or any discomfort you may feel.
The Myths and the Truths:
Breast cancer is a death sentence.
> If detected and treated early enough, breast cancer need not result in death. Early detection can help save lives and breasts.
Breast cancer is hereditary.
> Breast cancer is not always hereditary. Over 90% of women in Singapore with breast cancer have no known family history of the disease.
If I have bigger breasts, I have a higher chance of getting breast cancer.
> This has not been proven by research. Someone who has smaller breasts has an equal chance of getting breast cancer as one who is well-endowed. Being overweight, however, does increase your risk.
Breast cancer is contagious.
> You cannot be infected with breast cancer through physical contact (touching, drinking out of the same cup, sharing food, or having sex).
Deodorants, anti-perspirants or wearing bras cause cancer.
> To date, there is no scientifically proven data to support these claims.
All breast lumps are cancerous.
> Nine out of 10 breast lumps are not cancer. Most lumps detected under the age of 30 are benign.
An injury to the breast can cause cancer.
> A bruise or hit to the breast won’t cause cancer. If cancer develops in a spot that has been injured, it is just a coincidence.
As long as I have had a mammogram that did not show any abnormalities, I am safe from breast cancer.
> Cancer can occur at any time. That’s why mammograms should be done annually or once in two years, along with monthly Breast Self Examination and yearly Clinical Breast Examinations so that any changes or abnormalities can be picked up early and checked by a doctor.
Breast cancer lumps are painful and grow fast.
> Breast cancer lumps tend to be painless, hard, fixed in position and persist even after a few menstrual cycles. They usually grow slowly. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, take a little time to talk to relevant people or even seek a second opinion before deciding on treatment.
Mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) is the only way to get rid of breast cancer.
> Mastectomy is not required for all breast cancers. Thanks to new technology, recent research and improved therapies, those diagnosed with breast cancer have a variety of options, depending on the stage and type of breast cancer.
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