Cancer is a disease of the body's cells. Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in breast tissue. There are several types of breast cancer. They all begin in milk ducts and/or the milk lobules. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Hong Kong. Breast cancer ranks as the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. There were 2,701 new breast cancer cases in 2007. 526 people died of breast cancer in 2007. The average age that women are diagnosed with breast cancer is 52. Most breast cancer cases occur in women over 50 years of age, but in recent years, many younger women also start to develop breast cancer. 225 women diagnosed in 2007 were between the ages of 30 and 40.

Be Breast Aware, Look, Feel & Compare

Step 1 – Look:

1. Change in your breasts which are not normal for your, or which you haven’t seen before.
2. Changes to the nipple.  Such as a change in shape, crusting, a sore or an ulcer, redness or inverting of the nipple.
3. Discharge from the nipple.  Particularly if this is from one nipple and is bloodstained, or occurs without squeezing.

Step 2 – Feel

1. A lump, lumpiness or thickening. For younger women – if this is not related to your normal monthly cycle and remains after your period. For women of all ages – if this is a new change in one breast only.
2. Persistent, unusual pain. If this is not related to your normal monthly cycle, remains after your period and occurs in one breast only.

Step 3 – Compare

1. The shape or size of your breast with before. This might be either an increase or decrease in size.
2. Your left to your right breast/nipple to spot any unusual differences.

Doctors recommend that your follow a regular schedule of check-ups that include a breast exam and cervical screening.  For further information please visit website : www.cancer-fund.org/pink

(Source provided by Hong Kong Cancer Registry, Hospital Authority)