Breast Cancer Risk in the UAE Has Risen Post COVID-19— Here’s What You Should Do

From what it is to how to detect it, here’s everything you need to know about breast cancer. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is here! It is an annual campaign to increase breast cancer awareness and to raise money for research into its source, mitigation, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical arm of Imperial Chemical Industries founded Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985. Since the whole month of October is celebrated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month worldwide, it is the perfect time to learn about breast cancer.

Breast cancer awareness is essential as the condition is treatable if detected early. If not diagnosed early, it can spread to other parts of the body and prove fatal. 

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer develops due to the uncontrolled growth of breast cells. These cells usually develop into tumours, which are frequently detectable on x-rays or felt as a lump. Although, it also affects men, breast cancer primarily affects women. It is the most common cancer diagnosed worldwide. This condition is also the leading cause of cancer-related death in women and affects one in four cancer patients.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to inform you about the increasing risk of breast cancer in the UAE. According to an article published in 2022, in the United Arab Emirates, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer. Additionally, in the UAE, breast cancer diagnoses are becoming more prevalent in younger patients in the post-COVID-19 era. Since breast cancer screening programmes have been suspended due to the COVID-19 lockdown, efforts to combat the disease have been hampered, allowing cases to be discovered at a later and more invasive stage. Global mortality has increased as a result of this, which has also been observed to cause a surge in advanced presentations. Factors that have led to a surge in breast cancer cases include:

• Usage of regular oral contraceptive pills
• Breastfeeding practices 
• Menstrual cycle characteristics 
• Physical training 
• Dietary patterns

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

By closely monitoring any changes in and around the breast area, you can prevent or diagnose breast cancer in its early stages. Some of the common symptoms of breast cancer are:

• A breast lump or tissue thickening that feels different from than surrounding tissue and has developed recently
• Breast pain
• Red, pitted skin over your entire breast
• Swelling 
• A nipple discharge other than breast milk
• Bloody discharge from your nipple
• Peeling, scaling, or flaking of skin on your nipple or breast
• A sudden, unexplained change in the shape or size of your breast
• Inverted nipple
• Changes to the appearance of the skin on your breasts
• A lump or swelling under your arm

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we advise you to keep an eye out for the above mentioned breast cancer symptoms and seek proper medical guidance. 

How to diagnose breast cancer?

Are you wondering how to diagnose breast cancer? This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, get yourself checked for breast cancer through these techniques:

• Breast exam: In this test, your doctor will check your breasts and armpits, feeling for any lumps or other abnormalities.
• Mammogram: This is one of the most commonly used methods to diagnose breast cancer. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. 
• Breast ultrasound: Ultrasound is a great way to determine whether a new breast lump is a solid mass or a fluid-filled cyst.

Early detection is the best method to combat breast cancer. So, get yourself checked repeatedly. If you wish to learn more about breast cancer or breast reconstruction surgery, visit Biolite during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To schedule a consultation with us, you can speak to us on +971 4 346 6641, email on info@biolitedubai.com, or schedule an appointment here.

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