Breast cancer awareness facts for female college students
Breast cancer is the most common female cancer worldwide, thus the college and university student also need breast cancer awareness facts and information. Moreover, with the recent increase in occurrence, diagnosis, incidence and mortality it is essential to speak about breast cancer awareness especially to the college female so that they can visit their doctor if any changes in their breast occur.
Breast cancer awareness facts
Generally, the breast cancer awareness is quite low in some countries, for example in India. Breast cancer is the most common female cancer, about 23% of all female cancers and the condition burden is projected to be greater than 2 million by 2030. Breast cancer incidence is modulated by several factors including age, family history, age at first birth, reproductive or parity age, fat in the body, the lifestyle which includes smoking and alcohol use. Thus, you increase the probability of having breast cancer by smoking, higher parity and alcohol usage.
Lack of the breast cancer awareness leads to late diagnosis which contributes to the high mortality rate among women. With the increase in incidence and death associated with breast cancer, it is essential to understand breast cancer, thus the breast cancer awareness. Factors such as stigmatisation, fear, gender, inadequate screening facilities reduce breast cancer awareness.
According to a PubMed publication, the factors that have been scientifically proven or disapproved of causing breast cancer are listed in the table below.
| Sufficient/convincing evidence | Insufficient/weak evidence | No conclusive evidence |
| Increase risk | Increase risk | |
| Alcohol consumption | Total dietary fat | Meat |
| Body fatness (post-menopausal) | Greater birth weight (pre-menopausal) | Fish |
| Adult height (post-menopausal) | Tobacco smoking | Folate |
| Any use of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) | Hormone replacement therapy | Vitamin D |
| Age at first childbirth | Calcium | |
| Selenium | ||
| Decrease risk | Decrease risk | Dietary fibre |
| Glycaemic index | ||
| Lactation | Fruits and vegetables | Soya-based foods |
| Body fatness (pre-menopausal) | Physical activity | Total energy intake |
| Milk and dairy products |
College girls need to be aware of risk factors for breast cancer to adopt appropriate practices for prevention. Moreover, women are advised to check their breast once in a while to detect any changes in their breast.
How to check your breast for lumps
Step 1: To perceive or detect lumps you can look at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and with your arms on your hips. In this position, you are looking for any changes in your breast such as the size, shape, colour, visible distortion, and swelling. If you perceive any changes in your breast, please visit your doctor (GP). Thus as a lady, it is quite important to check your breast often for these changes. Most important changes you are looking for which might call for a visit to the GP include but not limited to bulging of the skin, dimpling, puckering, change in position of the nipple, swelling in the breast, soreness, rash and redness.
Step 2: Secondly, you will need to raise your arms and look for the changes stated in step 1. Moreover, you can look for the release of fluid such as blood, or milky substances (if not a nursing mother) from the nipples.
Step 3: You need to lie down and feel your left breast with the right hand and vice versa. Hold the breast firm, smoothly with a circular motion to feel. Use this technique to feel the entire nipple. And if you suspect anything, please visit the GP.
Step 4: Also, feel your breasts while standing or sitting using the technique described above.
Step 5: If you can’t perform these procedures, please visit the nearest non-governmental organisation for women or hospital for a practical demonstration.
Stay healthy and safe.
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