WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in Singapore. Breast cancer happens when there are abnormal growths in a woman’s breast cells. These cancer cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells, which then result in the formation of a lump or a mass. Most breast cancer patients are older women aged 40 and above.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER?
Main risk factors include age and family history. Other risk factors include girls with earlier menstruation usually before the age of 12, late childbearing and late menopause.
For a detailed assessment of one’s risk factors, however, it is best to speak to a breast cancer surgeon in Singapore for personalized advice and management plan.
WHAT ARE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER?
Timely screening with a Singapore breast cancer surgeon is the best way to detect and treat early signs of breast cancer.
- Lump growing in the breast area or armpit
- Irregular enlargement of the breast
- Abnormal or bloody discharge from the nipple
- Nipple becomes drawn inwards
- Rash or flakiness on the nipple or areola
HOW IS BREAST CANCER DETECTED?
Besides regular breast self-examination, a variety of non-surgical tests are available to detect the onset of breast cancer. These tests can assess the extent and nature of the mass, aiding in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer:
Mammogram
– A mammogram is an imaging tool that examines the breasts using low-powered x-ray technique. It gives detailed images of the breast tissue, and can even detect lumps that could not be manually felt. Its importance lies in the ability to detect microcalcifications, which can be associated with early breast cancer.Breast Ultrasound
– A breast ultrasound in Singapore uses high frequency soundwaves to produce images of the breasts, thereby determining if an abnormal mass found during a mammogram is solid (indicative of a malignant tumour) or fluid-filled (usually non-cancerous), or both cystic and solid.
WHAT ARE THE AVAILABLE TREATMENTS FOR BREAST CANCER?
SURGERY
Surgery is the primary treatment for breast cancer which aims for the removal of the main tumour, as much as possible. There are several types of breast cancer surgery, and your Singapore breast cancer doctor will determine the most suitable breast cancer treatment based on the type of breast cancer, its stage and size. Your Singapore breast cancer surgeon will also determine if it is possible to conserve or reconstruct the breast after surgery.
Common surgical treatments for breast cancer include:Breast conservation surgery
- Breast conservation surgery (lumpectomy) is a type of breast cancer surgery that only involves the removal of the tumour and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue.Mastectomy
- This procedure involves the removal of the entire breast.Removal of lymph nodes
– If the cancer is found to have spread to your lymph nodes, your Singapore breast cancer surgeon may consider removing them as well.
OTHER TREATMENTS
Aside from surgery, other forms of breast cancer treatment are as follows:Hormone Therapy
– This prevents breast cancer hormones from affecting the blood. This is usually recommended before or after surgery for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.Radiotherapy
– This type of therapy uses a high-energy beam that can destroy a cancer cell’s DNA.Chemotherapy
– This is used to treat all stages of breast cancer by destroying or slowing the growth of cancer cells and is usually administered intravenously.
HOW IS A BREAST CANCER SURGERY PROCEDURE DONE?
Breast cancer surgery is done in an accredited operating theatre under general anaesthesia. The breast cancer surgeon will create an incision in the breast to remove the cancerous tumour(s) or the entire breast tissue. This may also involve the removal of one or more lymph nodes to determine if breast cancer has spread to the underarm. The surgeon then closes the incision, leaving behind minimal scarring as far as possible.
As with all cancers, early detection of breast cancer in its early stages yields a more promising outcome. At Maven Surgery, our Singapore breast cancer surgeon Dr Chong Chee Keong specialises in breast cancer treatment including breast surgery in Singapore, and placing the patient’s needs and wellbeing as a priority. Contact Dr Chong at 6355 5285 for a comprehensive consultation today.