The Global Library of Women’s Medicine

Preview Video

Loading...

Enhancing the Welfare of Women

Expert Health Information for Women

Understanding Breast Cancer
and Why you Should Check your Breasts Regularly
Breast cancer is a common disease in women. Anyone can get breast cancer, at any age.
It is a condition in which the breast cells grow out of control.
Many women do not know they have cancer until it is too late. But if the cancer is found early, it can be treated.
Symptoms of breast cancer that you should look for are:
A lump in the breast, unusual breast pain, changes in how the breasts look and something coming out from the nipple.
If you have any of the symptoms or have concerns about your breasts, you should see a healthcare worker.
Having any of the symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer – lumps in the breast can be harmless.
However, the healthcare worker will check your breasts and advise you if further steps are needed.
Please remember that you can request a breast check up even when you do not have any of the symptoms.
It is important to check your breasts regularly, especially when you are over the age of 40.
A healthcare worker can examine your breasts and may give you some tests that check for breast cancer.
You should always remember that it is easier to cure breast cancer if it is discovered early.
You may reduce your chances of developing breast cancer by:
Exercising 3-4 times a week;
Controlling your weight;
Breastfeeding;
Not drinking too much alcohol;
Not smoking.
So you should always remember
- to live a healthy life
- monitor for any change in your breasts
- and seek treatment early.

The authors of this UNDERSTANDING BREAST CANCER programme are:

  • Dr Siti Nurkamilla Ramdzan
    Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
  • Dr Ilham Ameera Ismail
    Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
  • Dr Julia Suhaimi
    Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
  • Dr Khasnur Abd Malek
    Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
  • Dr Nurainul Hana Shamsuddin
    Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

The Welfare of Women programme has been created under the General Editorship of Dr Kate Lightly, University of Liverpool, UK and is overseen by an expert International Editorial Board

/