Breast Cancer Awareness

Rida Peerzada
Oct 20, 2020
2 min read

As a Healthcare worker I feel obligated to share my knowledge about Breast Cancer.

Did you know that Physiotherapy plays an important role in rehabilitation of Cancer patients?

Physiotherapy is so much more than exercise and things related to bones. Next time you meet a Physiotherapist and reduce them to a masseuse the jokes on you for the lack knowledge. We deal with so much more from working in ICUs to helping a special child to walk.

Anyway about Breast Cancer and Physiotherapy, I have had first hand experience with breast cancer patients pre and post Mastectomy (removal of breast tissue). As a Physiotherapist we help them regain shoulder mobility, prevent scar adhesion and gain their physical endurance back.

Picture Credit: www.urbanmatter.com

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign organized by major charities every October to increase awareness about the disease and raise funds for the same. The campaign intends to educate people about the importance of early screening, test and more.

Breast Cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer.

Breast can be detected in its early stages and hence reduce mortality and improve the survival rate. The main aim of the campaign is to increase the awareness about self detection techniques. Yes, one can examine themselves by simply feeling for lumps and other signs. Other than self examination there are a few signs and symptoms which if detected early can help in early diagnosis and treatment.

There are a few risk factors which makes one more prone to the disease. Being aware of these factors can also keep one alert to check for symptoms regularly and perform self test.

Risk factors for Breast Cancer:

Family history on any type of cancer
Race/Ethnicity (more common in white)
Advancing Age- Breast cancer is more prevalent in late 40s
Early Menarche (first periods before or by 12yrs of age)
Late Menopause (last period post 55yrs of age)
Exposure to Radiation in chest area
Use of Hormonal Birth Control methods (I-pill, Hormonal injections)
Obesity, sedentary lifestyle
Lifestyle related- Alcohol intake, smoking, fatty food
Use of Hormone replacement therapy (post menopause)
Pregnancy at older age (post 35yrs of age)
Not breastfeeding after birth.
Having no children.

Male breast cancer is a rare cancer that forms in the breast tissue of men. Though breast cancer is most commonly thought of as a disease that affects women, breast cancer does occur in men.Male breast cancer is most common in older men, though it can occur at any age.