OCTOBER is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global opportunity to raise awareness of breast cancer and call for action to improve access to timely diagnosis and quality care.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 2.4 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, with about 694,000 deaths recorded globally.

In Ghana, more than 5,000 women are diagnosed with the disease annually, with nearly 2,700 dying from it.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumours develop in the breast. These cells can spread by breaking away from the original tumour and entering blood vessels or lymph vessels, which branch into tissues throughout the body. When cancer cells travel to other parts of the body, invade other organs, and begin damaging tissues and organs, the process is called metastasis.

Types

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is considered the earliest form of breast cancer. DCIS begins in the milk ducts, where the cancerous cells are contained within the ducts and have not spread into the surrounding breast tissue or nearby lymph nodes. Because the cancerous cells have not spread from their original location, DCIS is considered “non-invasive.”

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type of invasive breast cancer. In IDC, cancer cells begin in the breast’s milk ducts and then spread into the surrounding healthy breast tissue. This ability to grow beyond their original location is what makes the cancer “invasive.” When IDC is diagnosed, it is assigned a stage between one and four.

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common form of invasive breast cancer. It is a slow-growing cancer that begins in the milk glands (lobules) of the breast and has invaded, or spread, into the surrounding breast tissue or other areas of the body.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of invasive breast cancer. TNBC lacks the three receptors—estrogen, progesterone, and HER2—that are usually found in breast cancer, making common hormonal therapies ineffective.

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) means that the cancer has spread beyond the breast into other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs, or brain. MBC is stage four breast cancer and will be a part of the patient’s life for the rest of their life. While MBC is not curable, it is treatable.

Male breast cancer

Male breast cancer is rare and accounts for less than one per cent of all breast cancer diagnoses. Though less common, male breast cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage, making it more difficult to treat.

What to do

At the launch of this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Breast Society of Ghana (BSG), a specialist radiation oncologist with the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Mary Ann Dadzie, said:

Do not dismiss painless breast lumps.

• “A painless lump is not a harmless lump.”
• Do not wait until a lump becomes painful before seeking medical attention.
• Seek medical attention quickly.
• See a health professional within two weeks of noticing an abnormality in the breast.

Know your breasts.

• Pay attention to changes in your breasts.
• Seek help when something appears unusual.

Dr Dadzie called on women to have regular breast checks, stressing the importance of:

• Regular clinical breast examinations.
• Appropriate screening, including mammography and ultrasound, with health professionals.

She urged family and friends to support women diagnosed with the disease, saying, “Home is where the support begins.”

She encouraged:

• Husbands, partners and families to help women with transportation, childcare and other practical needs.
• Friends to offer practical support.

Way forward

She called on women diagnosed with breast cancer to act early, seek medical attention promptly, and complete treatment.

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