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What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when cells in breasts grow out of control. There are different types of breast cancers, and the type of breast cancer will depend on which cells in the breast turn into cancerous cells.
Any part of the breast can develop into breast cancer. A breast is made up of three main parts: the lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. Most breast cancers begin in the lobules or ducts.
The lobules are the glands that which milk production occurs. The ducts are the tubes that transport milk to the nipple. The connective tissue consisting of fibrous and fatty tissue surrounds and holds the breast together.
Breast cancer can also spread outside of the breast through lymph and blood vessels.
When breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is known as being metastasised.
Service |
Esther Chuwa Breastcare |
| Services | Breast Cancer Screening, Breast Cancer Evaluation, and Breast Cancer Surgery |
| Website | http://estherbreastcare.com.sg/ |
| Address | #10-03 Gleneagles Medical Centre, Napier Road, Singapore 258499 |
| Telephone | +65 6479 2110 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Service |
Dr. Tan Chuan Chien |
| Services |
|
| Website | www.cctansurgery.com.sg |
| Address | Gleneagles Medical Centre 6 Napier Road #08-15/16 Singapore 258499 |
| Telephone | Tel: +65 6471 1233 |
| Operating Hours | Mon & Thu: 9:00AM – 5:00PM Tue & Fri: 9:00AM – 12:00PM Wed & Sat: 9:00AM – 12:30PM |
Service |
Maven Surgery |
| Services | Breast Cancer Screening |
| Website | http://breastscreening.mavensurgery.com.sg/ |
| Address | 38 Irrawaddy Road #07-49 Singapore 329563
319 Joo Chiat Place #02-05 Singapore 427989 |
| Telephone | (+65) 66904160 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Service |
Dr. Georgette Chan |
| Services | Breast Cancer Screening, Breast Ultrasound, Mammogram, Management of Benign Disorders, Breast Concerns during Pregnancy, Surgical Treatments, and Post-Cancer Counselling |
| Website | http://www.georgettechan.com.sg/home.html |
| Address | 11-09 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore |
| Telephone | (65) 6836 5167 | (65) 6836 5165 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Service |
Mount Elizabeth Hospital |
| Services | Breast Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, Surgery, Remodelling, and Post-Cancer Rehabilitation |
| Website | http://mammocare.com.sg/ |
| Address | 38 Irrawaddy Road, #06-21 Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Singapore 329563 |
| Telephone | (65) 6694 1706 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Service |
Dr. Melanie Seah |
| Website | https://melaniebreastspecialist.com/ |
| Address | 1 Farrer Park Station Road, Farrer Park Medical Centre 12-07, Connexion, 217562 |
| Telephone |
+65 6244 2668
|
| Operating Hours | Monday to Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 1 PM Sunday: Closed |
Service |
The Singapore Cancer Society |
| Website | https://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/ |
| Address | 15 Enggor Street #04-01, Realty Centre, Singapore 079716 |
| Contact | [email protected] |
| Operating Hours | Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Closed on Saturday, Sunday, PH |
Service |
The Health Advisory Clinic |
| Website | https://healthclinicgroup.com/ |
| Address |
1 Raffles place #04-49, Singapore, 048616 |
| Telephone | (+65) 6226 6442 |
| Operating Hours |
Mon – Fri : 0900 – 1800 |
Service |
Somerset Imaging Centre |
| Website | https://www.hsig.org/ |
| Address | 111 Somerset Road, TripleOne Somerset, Units 03-21 to 03-24, Singapore 238164 |
| Telephone | +65 9423 7319 |
| Operating Hours | Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 6pm Saturdays: 8.30am – 1pm Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays |
Service |
Glenaeagles Hospital |
| Website | https://www.gleneagles.com.sg/ |
| Address | 6A Napier Rd, Singapore 258500 |
| Telephone | +65 6575 7575 |
| Operating Hours | Open 24 hours |
Service |
Breast Cancer Foundation |
| Website | https://www.bcf.org.sg/ |
| Address | 5 Stadium Walk, Leisure Park Kallang, #04-03/08, Singapore 397693 |
| Telephone | (65) 6352 6560 |
| Operating Hours | Monday to Friday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed |
Service |
Homage |
| Website | https://www.homage.sg/ |
| Address | 12 Kallang Avenue, #03-19/20, Singapore 339511 |
| Telephone | +65 6100 0055 |
| Operating Hours | Monday to Friday: 9 AM to 9 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM |
Service |
DB Clinic |
| Website | https://dbclinic.com.sg/ |
| Address | 290 Orchard Road #14-10 Paragon Medical Centre |
| Telephone | (+65) 6733 7122 |
| Operating Hours | Mon – Fri : 0900 – 1800 Saturday: 0900 – 1300 Sunday & PH: Closed |
Types of breast cancer
Invasive ductal carcinoma
Invasive ductal carcinoma starts from the ducts, and the cancer cells grow into other parts of the breast tissue. These invasive cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body.
Invasive lobular carcinoma
Invasive lobular carcinoma starts from the lobules and spread to the breast tissue that is of proximity. These invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of breast cancer
Although the most common sign of breast cancer is a lump in the breast, there are instances that such lumps are not an indication of cancer. Most of these lumps are non-cancerous.
Common causes of non-cancerous breast lumps
- breast infection
- fibrocystic breast disease
- fibroadenoma
- fat necrosis
New painless lumps that occur in breasts are the most common symptom of breast cancer. If you feel a hard lump with irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous than other types of lumps.
Early signs of breast cancer
A woman may notice a change in her breast when she goes for her frequent breast examination or checks up on minor abnormal pain in her breast. The early signs of breast cancer include:
- changes in the shape of the nipple
- pain in the breast that continues even after your period
- a new lump that does not go away after your period
- nipple discharge from breasts that is either red, yellow, brown, or clear in colour
- redness, swelling, itchiness, rash on the breast that is not due to skin condition
- swelling or a lump around the collarbone or under the arm area
Later signs of breast cancer
- inward turning or retraction of the nipple
- enlargement of one breast
- an existing lump that increases in size
- a skin texture that resembles an orange peel
- vaginal pain
- dimpling of the breast surface
- unintentional weight loss
- enlarges lymph nodes under the arm area
- visible veins on the breast
However, note that having one or more symptoms does not necessarily indicate that you have breast cancer. For example, nipple discharge can be due to an infection and nothing as serious as breast cancer. Ensure to check with your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms and arrange for a breast screening as soon as possible.
Breast cancer in men
Breast cancer is typically not associated with men. However, on rare occasions, breast cancer can occur in men at any age, although more commonly found in older men. As men have breast tissues, too, there is a chance for them to develop breast cancer. However, as men’s breast tissues are much less developed than women’s breast cells, breast cancer in men is rare. The symptoms of breast cancer in men is more or less similar to the symptoms for women. Since men do not regularly check their breast tissue for signs of lumps, their breast cancer is usually diagnosed at a much later stage.
Breast screening devices
Mammogram
A mammogram is one of the most widely available breast screening methods in Singapore. It is an X-ray of the breast, which detects cancerous lumps even before they can be felt with the hands.
How often should I go for breast screening
Regular breast screening examination at once a year is highly recommended for women between 40 to 49 years old. For women above 50 years old, screening every two years is recommended. And for women below 40 years old, it is not necessary to go for screening.
Risk factors of breast cancer
Age
Age is one risk factor that you cannot change as it is a natural human process to grow older. However, the risk of breast cancer increases with age, with most breast cancers diagnosed after aged 50.
Reproductive history
Women who have early menstrual periods before age 12 and starting menopause after age 55 are exposed to hormones longer and increasing their risk of getting breast cancer.
Dense breast
Dense breasts have more connective tissue than fatty tissue, increasing the difficulty of detecting cancer cells using a mammogram.
Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
A woman’s risk for breast cancer increases if she has a mother, sister, or daughter who have had breast or ovarian cancer. Other members from the extended family, regardless male or female, who have breast or ovarian cancer can also increase the risk.
Treatments with radiation therapy
Women younger than 30 years old who had radiation therapy to the chest area or breast have a higher chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer later in life.
Personal history of breast cancer or non-cancerous breast diseases
Women who are survivors of breast cancer are more likely to get it for a second time. Some non-cancerous breast diseases such as atypical hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma increase the chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Alcohol intake
The more alcohol a woman drinks, the higher chance she has of being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Pregnancy
Women who are pregnant and gives birth after age 30, who are not breastfeeding, and have not experienced a full-term pregnancy have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Conclusion
Breast cancer is one of the most cancer among women in Singapore. Keeping a healthy and active lifestyle and consuming less alcohol can help to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. If you feel a lump in your breast, consult your doctor and arrange for a breast cancer screening examination as soon as possible. Early detection of breast cancer increases your chance of surviving and reduces the possibility of the cancer cells spreading to other parts of your body.
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