Sasaran 74th Edition SASARAN EDISI 74 (20FEB18) | Page 67

Symptoms of Breast Cancer The early stages in recog- nizing symptoms of breast cancer are simple. Clear and obvious signs such as small bumps beneath the armpit or hardening of the breast. The tenderness of your breast will change drastically if not prevented promptly. Most women in Malaysia have lumps in their breasts without them realizing it. The lump is often painless, grows gradually and may distort the shape or size of the breast. An inverted nipple, bloodstained nip- ple discharge and skin changes are also common symptoms of breast cancer. Cancer cells can affect the lymph gland to be swollen in the armpit. The growth of the swollen part will accelerate if not treated as soon as possible. In the late stages, it will worsen and become infected eventually. “Bone pain, tenderness over the liver, severe headaches, shortness of breath and a chronic persistent cough may be an indica- tion of the cancer spreading to the other organs in the body,” said Dr Ibrahim. If Julainatul was still per- sistent with her opinion on the fact that cancer can only be inherited through genetics, God knows what would happen to her in the future. What about those women living their daily lives idly not knowing that they could probably carry a lump inside their breasts and would only realize it when it’s already too late? Think about it. “One in 19 women in Malaysia are at risk, compared to 1 in 8 in Europe and the US.” SASARAN JURNAL KRITIKAN MEDIA . 67