Number of breast cancer cases increasing rapidly in Singapore

It is reported on ChannelNewsAsia 12/8/08 that the incidence of breast cancer among Singapore women in their 50s is fast increasing, driven strongly by a low fertility rate.

It seemed that Chinese have the highest breast cancer rates, followed by Malays and Indians.

Even though survival rates have seen steady improvement, more needs to be done as only half of all cases are detected early.

"The important message that we want to get across is that women who are 50 and above, especially those who have started their family late and have a small number of children should go for mammographic screening."

Prevention is just as important as early detection, as shown by a recent study on Chinese women in Singapore, which showed that eating more soy-based food products may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

The risk reduction is also more significant in post-menopausal women with higher body mass index.

Associate Professor Koh Won Puay, Occupational & Family Medicine, NUS, said: "More of the women without cancer were eating soy products, compared to those with breast cancer. We've also found that women who had most protection were women who had been eating soy foods since adolescent days."

Going forward, researchers said they would focus on better methods for early breast cancer diagnosis and encourage more women to go for screening

Just how high is the incidence rate of breast cancer?
It was reported in The Straits Times on 11 Dec 07 that breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women here - with 1,100 new cases reported each year, and about five deaths each week.

Why is early detection so important?
If detected early and treated, 95 per cent of patients remain cancer-free five years later, experts say.

Myths delay early detection & treatment:

Breast surgeon, Dr Tan Su Ming, said misinformation about the disease and its causes are still keeping women from taking the right steps to reduce their risk and detect the disease early.

A study by the Breast Service at Changi General Hospital (CGH) found that four in 10 women believe that those with larger breasts have a higher risk of breast cancer; and more than four in 10 women thought that radiation from mammography could cause breast cancer.

The survey of 1,000 women, aged between 20 and 65 years, also found that about a third did not know that breast cancer can spread.

More than half surveyed believed that breast cancer lumps are painful. Most of the time they are painless,' Dr Tan said.

Almost the same number also thought mastectomy was the only treatment for breast cancer.
Mastectomy is the surgery to remove all or part of the breast and sometimes other tissue.

Dr Tan explained that there are other treatments available, such as lumpectomy, a procedure to remove just the lump and some of the tissue around it; or radiation therapy to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours.

Note: These treatments are covered by Shield plans under inpatient (hospitalisation & surgical charges) and outpatient (cancer treatment by chemotherapy or radiotherapy) benefits, subject to deductibles and co-insurance.

But it was not all bad news, as it was found that more than half did their self-examination regularly.

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About breast cancer
This is the most common cancer in Singaporean women, with 200 - 300 women dying from the disease each year. Screening is with mammography.
Signs and symptoms:
- A hard fixed lump in the breast
- Bloody nipple discharge
- Itch and rash on the nipple
- Skin changes on the breast
(Extracted from an 11 Dec 2007 article in The Straits Times)