Whilst many of the risk factors for breast cancer cannot be changed - such as
age, genetics and the family history of the disease - there are some lifestyle
risk factors that can be managed. For example, just 1.5 to 2.5 hours of physical
exercise per week reduces the risk of breast cancer by 18 per cent. This was
just one of the startling facts about breast cancer highlighted by American
Board Certified experts from the Cancer Care Centre and Breast Clinic at the
American Hospital Dubai, at the hospital's annual breast cancer seminar for the
public. The seminar took place at the American Hospital Dubai on October 20th
and attracted an audience of more than 60 people.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in developed countries; half of all
men and one third of all women in the US will develop some form of cancer during
their lives. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer is 1 in 8, for
women living to the age of 80. However, the incidence of breast cancer has
reduced dramatically since the 1990s due to the reduction in the use of post
menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
For women in Dubai and the UAE, there is good news; the long term outlook for
breast cancer patients has never been better and the level of awareness amongst
the population is high and growing, which means that women have a better level
of understanding about the preventative measures that can be taken against
breast cancer, including lifestyle changes and regular self examination and
screening. Should treatment become necessary, there are more options available
now, including sentinel lymph node biopsy - this minimally invasive technique
allows the surgeon to evaluate the extent of spread of the cancer with minimal
morbidity.
American Board Certified General Surgeon, Dr Paul Sayad, explained the role of
sentinel lymph node biopsy and surgery in the treatment of breast cancer and
especially in the detection of the spread of cancer cells (metastasis) from the
breast to the lymph nodes. 'The sentinel lymph node is the gatekeeper of the
lymphatic basin and is the lymph node which is the first to be affected in the
case of metastasis,' he explained.
'With the support of the Hospital's Nuclear Medicine Department, a radio-isotope
is injected around the tumor followed by an injection of a blue dye. Guided by a
Gamma probe and the blue colouring, the location of the sentinel node is
identified. The node is then excised and sent for pathologic study, if no
disease is found in the node then there will be no need to excise all the other
lymph nodes.
'This minimally invasive diagnostic procedure provides a very accurate picture
of the spread of the disease and indicates how best to treat it. Previously we
would have had to remove all the axillary lymph nodes, with many potential
complications, such as arm swelling and nerve injury, in order to determine
whether they have already been invaded by cancerous cells or not,' he added.
'The sentinel node biopsy is less invasive, less traumatic and has less risk of
complication, and also offers a better cosmetic outcome for the patient.'
The breast cancer awareness and prevention presentation was led by American
Hospital Dubai Oncologist/ Haematologist Dr Andre Rizk, who listed the risk
factors for breast cancer and ways of reducing these risks, dispelling the myths
surrounding breast cancer, and urging women to take precautions in monitoring
their breast health: 'It's my job to scare women a little at events like these,
to ensure that we create impact and awareness amongst women about effective ways
to catch breast cancer early enough to treat it successfully,' he said.
'Self examination is important but just because there is a change to the shape
or feel of the breast, this does not mean that cancer is present. However, any
change in the breast should not be denied and a professional opinion should be
sought. Around 80 per cent of women presenting breast cancer to doctors are the
result of self examination.'
