Who's at risk for breast cancer?

MANILA, Philippines - The C-Network recently gave its support to a cancer awareness activity initiated by GMA Kapuso Foundation in Davao to celebrate Women’s Month last March. 

The event, “Libreng Serbisyo Alay sa mga Kababaihan ng Davao,” provided free breast examinations, free medical and laboratory services in the form of medical consultation, examination, and work-ups. The event also featured lectures on women’s health, which can help create awareness and promote consciousness among 200 indigent women in Davao.

For its part, the C-Network, an active partner of different anti-cancer groups, provided one of the featured lectures on breast cancer awareness. Special guest speaker was Dr. Chita Nazal-Matunog, an active lecturer and member of the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO) and the Philippine Society of Oncology (PSO).

In her lecture, Dr. Matunog cited the factors that could raise the risk of breast cancer that women have to be aware of. Besides being a woman, here are the risk factors:

• As you get older.

• If you or close blood relatives have had or have this disease. 

• A woman with breast cancer has three to four times a greater chance of developing a new cancer.

• A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 20-30 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer.

• Menstrual history: Women who had their menstrual periods before 12 years of age or who went through menopause after age 50 have a slightly higher risk.

• According to Dr. Matunog, one in every 10 cases of breast cancer is linked to changes and mutations in certain genes. Genetic mutations expose younger women to breast cancer.

• 5-10 percent of breast cancers can be linked to inherited gene mutations (abnormal changes) inherited from one’s mother or father.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have been linked to the development of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Another genetic mutation can occur with an excess production of HER2, a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.

Women with these mutations have up to an 80-percent risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime, and they are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age (before menopause).

An increased ovarian cancer risk is also associated with these genetic mutations.

Regular screening is encouraged to combat these risk factors that cannot be controlled. Intensive screening regimen is usually advised for women with the mutations and this may include frequent breast exams (mammography, MRI, and ultrasound as appropriate for age) and trans-vaginal and/or pelvic ultrasound, as well as semi-annual or quarterly CA-125 blood tests and clinical exams.

In addition, Dr. Matunog urged women to take action against other risk factors that can be controlled such as:

• Obesity. Being overweight increases the risk, especially after reaching menopause if that weight gain took place during adulthood.

• Exercise. Exercise can lower breast cancer risk by about 60 percent in adults. More research is being done to confirm these findings.

• Breastfeeding. Studies have shown that breastfeeding lowers breast cancer risk, especially if breastfeeding lasts one to two years. One study found that having several children and breastfeeding could reduce the risk of breast cancer by half. This may be because breastfeeding lowers a woman’s total number of menstrual periods.

• Alcohol. Alcohol is clearly linked with an increased risk of breast cancer. Those who have two to five drinks daily have about 1/2 times the risk of women who drink no alcohol.

• HRT. It has become clear that long-term use (several years) of combined HRT (estrogen together with progesterone) to relieve menopause symptoms may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer as well as the risk of heart disease, blood clots, and strokes. The breast cancers are also found at a more advanced stage. HRT seems to reduce the effectiveness of mammograms.

• Birth control pills. Studies have found that women now using birth control pills have a slightly increased risk of getting breast cancer. Not having children before the age of 30 increases a woman’s risk by 40 percent.

For more information on breast cancer risk factors, visit www.cnetwork.org.ph.