BREAST CANCER

AWARENESS

Group Members
Andrew Hutson
Travis Braithwaite
Vidur Singh
Stefan Hutson
Melissa Adams
Randir Mootoo

Discussion Points
Prevalence
What is breast cancer?
Causes
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Prevention
Screening

Prevalence
World: 2nd most common cancer in women
Guyana: 3rd most common cancer
Indo-Guyanese(45%)

The breast

What is breast cancer?

Abnormal growth
of cells

Lump

Spread to organs
e.g. lungs, liver,
brain, bones

What should you look for?

Causes
Unknown in most cases
Most likely cause is related to changes in
the genetic material (DNA) in our cells.
DNA changes
lifestyle
age and other factors

RISK FACTORS
1. Gender
2. Aging
3. Genetic risk factors
4. Family History
5. Personal history of breast cancer
6. Certain non-cancer breast problems
7. Previous chest radiation
8. Post-menopausal hormone therapy (PHT)
9. DES exposure
10.Recent use of hormonal contraceptives

Risk Factors
11. Race
12. Dense breast tissue
13. 1st pregnancy after age 30
14. Late age of menopause
15. Not breastfeeding
16. Physical activity
17. Overweight
18. Alcohol use

Prevention
There is no sure way to prevent breast
cancer.

But modifiable risk factor can be

reduced or eliminated completely

Prevention
Get to and stay at a healthy weight
Be physically active
Limit alcohol use
Other preventative methods:
Breastfeeding
Avoid exposure to radiation
Not using hormone therapy to deal with
symptoms of menopause

Screening
Self Breast examination
- Every women 20 years and over
- Once a month
- 7 days after 1st day of period

Clinical breast exams

- Done by a doctor
- Women older than 40, should have one every year

Mamogram
- 35 to 39 years old: baseline mammogram
- 40 to 49: mammogram once every two years
- 50 & older: mammogram once every year

What you can do!

Change those risk factors that you control
Get to and stay at a healthy weight throughout
lifer

What you can do!

Get Screened

References
Edwards, M., 2015. Data suggest breast cancer mortality
highest among older women. Georgetown, Guyana:
Kaieteur News.
Unknown, 2013. What Is Breast Cancer?. [Online]
Available at:
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/w
hat_is_bc
[Accessed 2 August 2015].

References
Unknown, 2015. Breast Cancer - American Cancer
Society. [Online]
Available at:
www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@editorial/document
s/document/breast_cancer_powerpoint_packa.pdf
[Accessed 3 August 2015].
Unknown, 2015. [Online]
Available at:
http://www.debreastcancer.org/images/uploads/what_bre
ast_cancer_looks_like.png
[Accessed 3 August 2015].

BREAST SELF EXAMINATION

SIX KEY STEPS YOU WILL BE TAUGHT
TODAY!!

BREAST SELF EXAMINATION

STEP 1
Inspection standing or sitting with hands at
side

STEP 2
Repeat step 1 with hands placed over
head

STEP 3
Repeat step 1 with hands on hip

STEP 4
Feel each breast AND underarm using
one of 3 patterns whilst standing/sitting

STEP 4

STEP 5
Repeat step 4 whilst lying on bed with
head on pillow

STEP 6
Repeat steps 1 5 every month