Breast Cancer Awareness Month October 2019

Every year, over 2 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide – the most common form of cancer in women, second only to skin cancer. Breast cancer affects women from all countries irrespective of income, age, race or class. Knowledge and increased awareness about breast cancer symptoms and risk factors has proven to be of great importance in reducing the mortality rates of breast cancer over the past three decades. Better screening and improved treatment options are also leading to earlier detection and higher chances of successful treatment.

Breast tumors refer to abnormal cells that grow and invade surrounding areas in the breast tissue. They can be benign, i.e. they are not aggressive and are usually easy to remove, or they could be malignant tumors which are referred to as cancer — these are aggressive and tend to spread into surrounding areas forming secondary tumors.

The most characteristic sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass – it could be hard with irregular edges or soft and round, painless or painful. Other symptoms include breast swelling, breast or nipple pain, swollen lymph nodes, or breast skin that is red, dry or thickened. Risk factors for breast cancer include old age, obesity, lack of physical activity, early menstruation start, dense breast tissue, previous diagnosis of breast cancer, having children later in life and family history.

Family history plays an important role in causing hereditary cancers due to genetic mutations (changes) that are inherited from parents to their children from birth. Such germline mutations raise a person’s risk of developing cancer in their lifetime. Depending on the mutation and the gene’s role and effect in the body, it can cause different cancers. For example, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations that are responsible for the majority of hereditary breast cancers can also cause prostate or pancreatic cancers. Therefore, when looking at a family’s cancer history, it is important to look at all the different cancers that family members have developed as they may all have been caused by the same germline mutation or hereditary cancer syndrome.

Hereditary cancers are different from sporadic cancers which can be caused either by environmental triggers, smoking or lifestyle factors. Hereditary cancers tend to cluster in families, occur earlier in life and be more aggressive than in an individual who has developed the same cancer without the germline mutation. These days, genetic testing can identify germline mutations that are associated with elevated risk of cancer susceptibility, which can be useful in improving clinical care and taking preventative measures such as avoiding risk factors that could further increase one’s chance of developing cancer. A specialist healthcare provider will also be able to advice on preventive measures to reduce risk, and guide the patient to taking informed decisions, and arranging earlier and routine screening to detect cancer early when treatment is more beneficial. Genetic counselling may also be beneficial when family history of cancer is evident.

Both women and men can develop breast cancer as all people are born with some breast tissue. Male breast cancer is very rare, with less than 1% of all breast cancers developing in men. Mortality rates are higher in men than in women though – low awareness for breast cancer and later diagnosis result in poorer treatment success rates. Most male breast cancer cases are due to hereditary germline mutations.

Today, the pink ribbon of breast cancer is associated with strength, survival and hope rather than fear. Research into breast cancer risk factors and ways to prevent, detect and diagnose breast cancer early remain high priority in the medical community. Such research is impactful for elevating the chances of successful treatment and raising the next generation with the optimism and confidence that we will beat cancer sooner.

PreSENTIA hereditary cancer test panels, offered by NIPD Genetics, can detect numerous inherited genetic changes that could cause cancer in the future. PreSENTIA offers an extensive portfolio of 19 hereditary cancer test panels. To learn more please visit www.nipd.com. Hereditary cancer testing, possible next steps and clinical management should always be fully discussed with your healthcare provider.

Compiled using information from:

• National Breast Cancer Foundation, INC. [https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/what-is-cancer/]
• American Cancer Society. [https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/what-is-breast-cancer.html]
• Breast Cancer Now: The research & care charity. [https://breastcancernow.org/breast-cancer-research?_ga=2.133942734.1986822403.1571755776-1523763177.1571638392]
• World Health Organization, Cancer. [https://www.who.int/cancer/events/breast_cancer_month/en/]