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Breastfeeding reduces breast cancer — Dr Henry Laryea
According to him, feeding longer than the recommended six months could provide additional protection.
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Dr Laryea, who was speaking in Accra in an interview on Wednesday when contacted for education, as part of Breast Cancer awareness month this October, explained that hormonal changes during breast feeding reduced the life-time exposure of the breast to hormones like estrogens, which promote cancer cell growth.
He said that sucking of breast by men could help detect breast cancer early but does not reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
The obstetrician stressed that even though breast cancer could not be prevented altogether because the actual cause is not known, changes in lifestyle could reduce the risk of developing it.
He mentioned some of the lifestyle changes as maintaining a healthy weight, choosing a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all and limiting the use of post-menopausal hormonal replacement therapy.
Contrary to the general belief that only women could develop breast cancer, Dr Laryea said it also affected men but the number of cases in men were small.
On other misconceptions, Dr Laryea said neither the wearing of brassieres nor objects which are placed in the brassiere, and therefore come into contact with the breast, including money, had been found to cause breast cancer.
He, however, said “that they may cause inflammatory changes on the breast through their chemical content and microbial organisms. These inflammatory changes have to be differentiated from a rare type of aggressive breast cancer known as Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Breast cancer is therefore likely to be caused by a complex interaction of a person’s genetic make-up and the environment”.
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He observed that breast cancer often affected women who are 50 years old, and is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 35 to 54 years.
The obstetrician explained that cancer cells invade and destroy not only surrounding tissues in the breast but also travel through the lymphatic system and blood stream to distant locations such as the liver and lungs.
Early detection
Dr Laryea said “clinically, early signs of breast cancer often present as a small palpable lump or thickening in the breast or underarm which previously was not present and persists through the menstrual cycle. Other signs may include changes in the skin of the breast (dimpled, scaly and inflamed skin, pitting skin resembling that of an orange skin), change in size, shape or contour of the breast, blood stained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple”.
“Rarely does a breast tumor present with pain. Some people may not notice any sign at all. It can only be picked up by mammogram,” he added.
Dr Laryea maintained that early detection of breast cancer was important to improve post treatment survival rate and enjoyment of a healthy life.
“Early detection of breast cancer can be achieved through regular monthly breast self-examination starting from the age of 20 and allowing male partner to fondle and suck breasts of the spouse. In addition, the breasts should be examined by a healthcare provider at least once every three years after age 20 and then every year after the age of 40. It is also recommended to have a baseline mammogram at the age of 35 and a screening-mammogram every year after age of 40”, he recommended.
He advised that changes in the breast be reported immediately to the hospital.
Tests and treatment
Dr Laryea said that after history taking and physical examination, the health practitioner would request the following specific investigations: Mammogram, Ultrasound scan and MRI of the breasts. Biopsy may be taken from a suspicious breast tissue for pathological studies.
On treatment options, the obstetrician/gynecologist said they are tailored to the specific needs of the patient and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy and immunotherapy.
Breast cancer develops mainly from the glandular milk secreting cells and the milk ducts. It occurs when cells in the breast grow and multiply rapidly to produce a mass of tissue called tumor. This tumor can be felt with the tip of the fingers during breast examination.
Writer’s e-mail: doreen.hammond@graphic.com.gh/aamakai@rocketmail.com