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Breast awareness
Hong Kong Cancer Registry data analysis shows that the five-year relative survival rate for Stage I – III breast cancer (76% – 99%) is much higher than that for Stage IV (30%), indicating that the earlier the breast cancer is detected, the earlier women can initiate treatment and the more likely they will survive. Therefore, every woman should be breast aware and familiar with the normal look and feel of her breasts, and be aware of any unusual breast changes below during daily activities (e.g. showering, getting dressed and putting on body lotion):
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breast lump; |
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a change in the size or shape of the breast; |
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a change in skin texture of the breast or nipple (e.g. red, scaly, thickened or “orange-skin” appearance); |
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rash around, in-drawing of, or discharge from the nipple; |
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new and persistent discomfort or pain in the breast or armpit; |
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a new lump or thickening in the armpit. |
If you notice any unusual breast changes, consult your doctor promptly.
Breast cancer prevention
The Government commissioned the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to conduct a large-scale Hong Kong Breast Cancer Study (the Study) to analyse the local risk factors of breast cancer and then develop a breast cancer risk assessment tool, which has been validated for the Hong Kong Chinese female population. This tool estimates a woman’s personal risk of developing breast cancer so that she can work with a doctor in making an informed decision for breast cancer screening. Moreover, the Study found that in addition to age-related risk, other risk factors for breast cancer include:
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family history of breast cancer among first-degree relatives (mother, sister or daughter); |
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prior diagnosis of benign breast disease; |
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never having given birth or having their first live birth at a late age (at or above the age of 30); |
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early age of first menstruation (at or below the age of 11); |
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being overweight or obese (body mass index (BMI)* 23 or above); |
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physical inactivity. |
*BMI = Weight (kilograms) / Height (metres) 2
Women can adopt healthy lifestyles to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer, such as:
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having regular physical activity; |
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avoiding alcohol consumption; |
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maintaining a healthy body weight and waist circumference (aim for BMI between 18.5 and 22.9, and a waist circumference of not more than 80 cm for women); |
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having childbirth at an earlier age and breastfeeding each child for a longer duration, whenever possible. |
Recommendations on breast cancer screening
Breast cancer screening serves to help detect breast cancer before it gives rise to symptoms so that women can receive treatment earlier. The Government’s Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening (CEWG) recommends adopting a risk-based approach for breast cancer screening and has made screening recommendations for women in different risk profiles as follows:
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Women at high risk (e.g. carriers of confirmed BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, with a strong family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, etc.) are recommended to seek their doctor’s advice and have mammography screening every year. |
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Women at moderate risk (i.e. with a family history of only one first-degree female relative with breast cancer diagnosed at or below the age of 50, or two first-degree female relatives diagnosed with breast cancer after 50) are recommended to undertake mammography screening every two years. |
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Other women in general population
Women aged 44 – 69 with certain combinations of personalised risk factors that place them at increased risk of breast cancer are recommended to consider mammography screening every two years. A risk assessment tool for local women such as the one developed by HKU is recommended to help estimate their risk of developing breast cancer. |
Please note that all screening tests have their limitations and are not 100% accurate. Screening may lead to potential risks, such as false-positives and false-negatives, over-diagnosis and over-treatment. Women who are considering breast cancer screening should first discuss the related pros and cons with their doctors.
Information on breast cancer prevention and screening can be found on the Cancer Online Resource Hub https://www.cancer.gov.hk/breastcancer. The breast cancer risk assessment tool developed by HKU will also be launched in the Resource Hub later in 2021 for public access.
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| Cancer Online Resource Hub |
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