BREAST CANCER RISK FACTORS

When we talk about BREAST CANCER, one of the things we ask is: "What causes BREAST CANCER?" .

The cause of BREAST CANCER remains unknown...

BUT, we are aware that Early detection and early treatment save lives!

So instead of CAUSE, we talk about RISK FACTORS...
*    Risk factors we cannot control   AND
**  Risk factors we can control!

Most women with Breast Cancer have no known risk factors except that they are women!

Here are the RISK FACTORS which I gathered from the I CAN SERVE FOUNDATION website and which I would like to share with you.

RISK FACTORS

Risk Factors You Can’t Control

Being a Woman. Although men may also develop breast cancer, male breast cancer is extremely uncommon, occurring at a rate of 1% of its female counterpart.

Aging. The primary risk factor for breast cancer in most women is older age. Overall, 85% of cases occur in women 50 years of age and older.

Family History. Occurrence of breast cancer within the family increases your risk, especially if first degree relatives had it, like a mother, a daughter or a sister.

Personal History. Having had breast cancer before, even if successfully treated, poses the risk of a recurrence of the disease.

Estrogen Levels. High estrogen levels marked by starting menstruation before age 12, having menopause after 55, or exposure to estrogen in the environment increases risks.

Risk Factors You Can Control

Weight. Being overweight increases your risk, especially after menopause. Having more fat tissue means having higher estrogen levels, which can increase risk.

Diet. Experts recommend observing a balanced diet that is particularly low in fat and rich in fruits and vegetables.

Exercise. Regular physical activity – around 45-60 minutes, five or more days a week – is recommended.

Alcohol Consumption. Alcohol can limit your liver’s ability to control blood levels of the hormone estrogen, which can increase risk.

Smoking. Smoking is associated with increasing the risk of developing breast cancer by around one-third. Smoking also increases the risk of other diseases.

If you are in Zamboanga City, learn more about BREAST WELLNESS and BREAST CANCER AWARENESS by calling CMZ Breast Wellness Center and schedule a FREE LECTURE for your group or institution.

Let us all learn more about BREAST WELLNESS and BREAST CANCER AWARENESS!!! 

BREAST SCREENING GUIDELINES FOR HIGH RISK

As I shared in the previous blogpost, we were interviewed in RMN Zamboanga with Bhong Simbajon last March 2014 and I appreciated his question, why Breast Wellness as compared to Breast Cancer Awareness?

Radio and U Stream interview with Dr. Marissa Lim, CMZ BWC Head and Dr. Filipinas Rojo, CMZ B.R.A. Campaign lead at RMN Zamboanga anchored by Bhong Simbajon

Again, the Ciudad Medical Zamboanga Breast Wellness Center (CMZ BWC) would like to emphasize that this program aims to cater to young girls and women of all ages (Men can have breast cancer too!) to love their breasts and have them checked!

According to Dr. Marissa Lim, Head of the CMZ BWC, "Breast examination starts as soon as one realizes that she is female!"

We do not want to wait until one has Breast Cancer before we talk about it!... Let us be PROACTIVE!

I would like to share Guidelines for Breast Health for High Risk Women from I CAN SERVE and KASUSO ORG. to help serve as a guide for high risk women.

Follow recommended breast cancer screening guidelines for high risk women.

STARTING at AGE 20

** Do a Breast Self Exam (BSE) every month

~~~~~~~ get to know your breast

~~~~~~~ best done 10 days after the start of menstruation period

** Have a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) by a healthcare professional trained in CBE (from KASUSO ORG)
~~~~~~  every 20-35y/o: every 6-12 months 
~~~~~~~ >35y/o: every 3-6 months or as advised by doctor

Note: A woman with a first-degree relative who developed pre-menopausal breast cancer should be screened every two years, starting when she is 10 years younger than the age at which her relative developed cancer
~~~~~~  CBE available at CMZ Breast Wellness Center

 STARTING at AGE 40

** Do a Breast Self Exam (BSE) every month

~~~~~~  if post-menopausal, assign one day per month

** Have a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) by a healthcare professional trained in CBE (fromKASUSO ORG)
~~~~~~~ >35y/o: every 3-6 months or as advised by doctor
~~~~~~ CBE available at CMZ Breast Wellness Center

** Have a Mammogram every year

Advisable for high risk:  Baseline mammogram at age 35 then every 1-2 years thereafter
~~~~~~~ NOTE: The incidence of breast cancer in younger women is lower and mammography is less efficient when breast tissue is more dense (ex. In women younger than 40 years old)

CMZ Breast Wellness Center tagline in 2012-2013

HAVING SCREENING MAMMOGRAMS REGULARLY IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO FIND BREAST CANCER EARLY!!!

Since this is Screening, everyone is encouraged to do this even if you have NO SIGNS NOR SYMPTOMS.

But to make the most out of a Mammogram and understand its benefits, it is best to discuss this with your doctor prior to the procedure.

We have the Digital mammogram available in Ciudad Medical Zamboanga.
By the way, THERE IS LESS PAIN WITH DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY!!!

WITH MODIFIED "MOOD LIGHTING"

NOTES REGARDING MAMMOGRAPHY:

*** Screening mammograms miss at least 20% of all tumors, so you should be aware of what mammography can and cannot do for you.

*** The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for all women after age 40.
~~~~~~~ The incidence of breast cancer in younger women is lower and mammography is less efficient when breast tissue is more dense (ex. In women younger than 40 years old)

*** It is a good idea to have your mammogram conducted at the same place every time. If you change facilities, make sure that your films and written reports are sent to the new location

*** Schedule a time when you can discuss the results with your doctor.

*** Make sure you get the results of your mammogram. Do not assume that everything is okay until you hear from your doctor.

Benefits of mammography:

1. Early diagnosis =  early treatment = save lives
2. Early detection of breast cancer improves chance of survival
3. Early diagnosis = Quality of life ( reduced need for radical treatment )

Women at increased risk should talk with their doctors about the  benefits and limitations of starting early screening or having additional tests done.

• Key to prevention of breast cancer is healthy lifestyle.
• Key to increased survival of breast cancer is early detection.
• Curable breast cancer equation:

Early detection = early diagnosis = early treatment

We hope you appreciate knowing about these guidelines!

However, for those in Zamboanga City, we may get to know more about Breast Wellness and Breast Cancer Awareness by requesting a schedule for a free lecture from the CMZ Breast Wellness Center! 

Ciudad De Zamboanga B.R.E.A.S.T
(Bra to Raise Early Awareness for Screening and Treatment) Installation Art
by Rameer Tawasil

BREAST CANCER SCREENING GUIDELINES FOR LOW RISK

While we were interviewed in RMN Zamboanga with Bhong Simbajon last March 2014, I really appreciated his question, why Breast Wellness as compared to Breast Cancer Awareness?

Radio and U Stream interview with Dr. Marissa Lim, CMZ BWC Head and Dr. Filipinas Rojo, CMZ B.R.A. Campaign lead at RMN Zamboanga anchored by Bhong Simbajon
Photo Credit: Nora Sanico, Illinois, USA

The Ciudad Medical Zamboanga Breast Wellness Center (CMZ BWC) would like to emphasize that this program aims to cater to young girls and women of all ages (Men can have breast cancer too!) to love their breasts and have them checked!

Ciudad De Zamboanga B.R.E.A.S.T
(Bra to Raise Early Awareness for Screening and Treatment) Installation Art
by Rameer Tawasil

According to Dr. Marissa Lim, Head of the CMZ BWC, "Breast examination starts as soon as one realizes that she is female!"

We do not want to wait until one has Breast Cancer before we talk about it!... Let us be PROACTIVE!

I would like to share Guidelines for Breast Health from I CAN SERVE and KASUSO ORG. to help serve as a guide for every women.

Follow recommended breast cancer screening guidelines.

STARTING at AGE 20

** Do a Breast Self Exam (BSE) every month

~~~~~~~get to know your breast

~~~~~~~best done 10 days after the start of menstruation period

STARTING at AGE 30

** Do a Breast Self Exam (BSE) every month

** Have a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) by a healthcare professional trained in CBE every three years

~~~~~~~~available at Ciudad Medical Zamboanga Breast Wellness Center

STARTING at AGE 40

** Do a Breast Self Exam (BSE) every month

~~~~~~~if post-menopausal, assign one day per month

** Have a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) by a healthcare professional trained in CBE every year

~~~~~~~~available at Ciudad Medical Zamboanga Breast Wellness Center

** Have a Mammogram every year

CMZ Breast Wellness Center tagline in 2012-2013

HAVING SCREENING MAMMOGRAMS REGULARLY IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO FIND BREAST CANCER EARLY!!!

Since this is Screening, everyone is encouraged to do this even if you have NO SIGNS NOR SYMPTOMS.

But to make the most out of a Mammogram and understand its benefits, it is best to discuss this with your doctor prior to the procedure.

We have the Digital mammogram available in Ciudad Medical Zamboanga.
By the way, THERE IS LESS PAIN WITH DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY!!!

Benefits of mammography:

1. Early diagnosis =  early treatment = save lives
2. Early detection of breast cancer improves chance of survival
3. Early diagnosis = Quality of life ( reduced need for radical treatment )

Women at increased risk should talk with their doctors about the  benefits and limitations of starting early screening or having additional tests done.

• Key to prevention of breast cancer is healthy lifestyle.
• Key to increased survival of breast cancer is early detection.
• Curable breast cancer equation:

Early detection = early diagnosis = early treatment

These are some tips for you to remember.

However, for those in Zamboanga City, we may get to know more about Breast Wellness and Breast Cancer Awareness by requesting a schedule for a free lecture from the CMZ Breast Wellness Center! 

CMZ B.R.A. A.R.T. WORKSHOP 2014 WITH ZC COMMUNITY LEADERS

What a wonderful day!

Today, March 12 is the CMZ B.R.A. (Bra to Raise Awareness) A.R.T. (Act Right Together) Workshop for our partners in the community!

We look forward to this day when Ciudad Medical Zamboanga forges the partnership with the community by working together to create beautiful works of art while interpreting the messages:

*        BRA TO RAISE AWARENESS.

**      LOVE YOUR BREAST.

          HAVE THEM CHECKED!

***   EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES.

**** THE AWARENESS STARTS WITH US.

We were very happy with the support given to us by Zamboanga City Mayor,  Maria Isabelle "Beng" Climaco-Salazar by her presence and by endorsing to us, one of her belly dancing bras made by a very talented PWD from Zamboanga City named Jasmine.

Miss Mila Arieta(Zamboanga Today), CMZ Execom: HRM Juvee Calica, AO Ruby Ann Puzon, CEO Atty. Jhihann Hairun-Natividad, Mayor Beng, MD Dr. Filipinas Rojo, and Mommy Ruth of the Ciudad Medical Confidants (clinic secretaries group)

Mayor Beng endorsing her belly dancing bra to the
CMZ B.R.A. Campaign Project as sign of support!

We were also equally pleased when the two Zamboanga City's lady councilors, Hon. Myra Paz Valderosa Abubakar and Hon. Josephine Pareja came over and endorsed their B.R.A. Drop Box back to CMZ.

counting the bras from Sangguniang Panglungsod

It is great to know that "girl power" reigns in Zamboanga City and the support we got from them is overwhelming, especially, this March, which  is International Women's Month!

In this time of Mayor Beng's BUILD BACK BETTER ZAMBOANGA Program, Ciudad Medical Zamboanga is happy to contribute in our own little way to improve Zamboanga City's image by positive projects like our B.R.A. Campaign Project for our Breast Wellness Advocacy for and with the Zamboanga City community!

We are looking forward to March 21, 2014, when we will be UNVEILING the Ciudad De Zamboanga B.R.E.A.S.T (Bra to Raise Early Awareness for Screening and Treatment) Installation Art!

CMZ B.R.A. CAMPAIGN PROJECT 2014

Ciudad Medical Zamboanga just initiated the B.R.A. PROJECT last January 17, 2014 within the hospital to start off with the B.R.A. Drop Box Decorating Contest among the CMZ staff.

This is just the beginning phase of our three phase project!

Phase 1: B.R.A. Drop Box Decorating Contest

Phase 2a: B.R.A. Collecting Contest within CMZ

Phase 2b: B.R.A. Collecting Contest among partner institutions in Zamboanga City

Phase 3: B.R.A. Installation Art

Do you know what B.R.A. Means?

Yes, it means Bra to Raise Awareness, which is CMZ's campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness! 

Breast Wellness is CMZ's flagship Corporate Social Responsibility Program thus the creation of the Ciudad Medical Zamboanga Breast Wellness Center under the helm of Breast Advocate, Dr. Marissa Lim last March 20, 2012.

We usually have our milestone projects every October together with the Breast Cancer Awareness month but with the Zamboanga Siege 2013 last September plus the flooding in Zamboanga City last October followed by the Bohol and Cebu Earthquake plus Typhoon Yolanda in November, we held this B.R.A. Project for a while.

We rekindled Phase 1 of this campaign this third week of January which is part of the National Cancer Consciousness Week. The launching of Phase 2 is on February 4, which is World Cancer Day and for Phase 3, March 20 which is the Second Anniversary of the CMZ Breast Wellness Clinic and in time with the International Women's Month.

Watch out for these DATES!!!!!