Breast Cancer - Are You At Risk?

Globally the month of October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The World Health Organization states that breast cancer is the most common cancer that affects women in both developed and developing countries.

Participants of the 2013 Cancer Walk - Globe-athon

Women 40 years and older are encouraged to have annual mammograms and as a pre-caution reminded of the importance of doing monthly breast self-examinations. However if there is an immediate family member that was diagnosed with this disease, women are encouraged to discuss with their physician and/or registered nurse about getting clinically examined before the age of 40.

Whereas there are some women who develop breast cancer without necessarily having a family history, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have indicated that there are certain occurrences in a woman’s life that can put her at an increased risk of developing breast cancer, these include, but not limited to:

• Having started her period before age 12.
• Experiencing menopause after age 55. 
• Never having children, or giving birth after the age of 35.
• Not breastfeeding her babies
• Having dense breasts – which make mammograms difficult to read.
• Received hormone replacement therapy in the past.
• Diagnosed with the breast cancer gene.

There are unconfirmed reports that the mammogram machine at the Grenada general hospital is not functionable however private medical establishments such as Spice Isle Imaging Center, Inc., located in St. George’s and Grenville Medical Services, Inc., in St. Andrew's provides the service on the island.

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