TAKE THE FEAR OUT OF
BREAST CANCER
Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts and can occur in both men and women , but it ’ s far more common in women . Male breast cancer is not uncommon and must be taken seriously .
Approximately 19.4 million women aged 15 years and older live at-risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer – the cancer affecting women in South Africa the most .
The first sign of breast cancer often is a breast lump or an abnormal mammogram . Breast cancer stages range from early , curable breast cancer to metastatic breast cancer , with a variety of breast cancer treatments .
In recent years breast cancer survival rates have increased , and the number of deaths associated with this disease is steadily declining , largely due to factors such as earlier detection , a new personalized approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease .
Bonitas offers one ( 1 ) mammogram every 2 years for women over the age of 40 as part of our preventative care benefits on most of our plans . This is paid from your Risk benefit and won ’ t affect your savings or day-to-day benefits .
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include :
• A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
• Change in the size , shape or appearance of a breast
• Changes to the skin over the breast , such as dimpling
• A newly inverted nipple
• Peeling , scaling , crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple ( areola ) or breast skin
• Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast , like the skin of an orange
Causes
Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally . These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate , forming a lump or mass . Cells may spread ( metastasize ) through your breast to your lymph nodes or to other parts of your body .
Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the milkproducing ducts ( invasive ductal carcinoma ). Breast cancer may also begin in the glandular tissue called lobules ( invasive lobular carcinoma ) or in other cells or tissue within the breast .
Hormonal , lifestyle and environmental factors that may
20
Bonitas Member Magazine Issue 4 | 2021