Malaysia & Kanser Payudara
Satu daripada 11 wanita Malaysia berisiko menghidap kanser payudara, lantas menjadikannya kanser paling lazim didiagnos dalam golongan wanita. Kanser payudara merangkumi 43 peratus daripada jumlah pesakit kanser wanita di Malaysia. Pada tahun 2018, lebih kurang dua juta kes baru dikesan di seluruh dunia. Malah, seorang pesakit baharu dikenal pasti setiap 15 saat, dan lebih dari enam wanita meninggal dunia disebabkan kanser payudara pada setiap lima minit. Walaupun jarang dihidapi kaum lelaki, kira-kira 2,700 lelaki disahkan menghidap kanser payudara setiap tahun. Hakikatnya, tiada individu yang terkecuali dari penyakit ini. Anda mungkin bernasib baik kerana tidak diduga dengan kanser payudara, namun dalam hidup ini anda mungkin mempunyai kenalan yang sedang bertarung nyawa mereka. Kami berharap artikel ini boleh membantu anda mengharungi cabaran kanser payudara.
Bagaimana kanser ini terjadi?
Kanser payudara terjadi apabila sel tisu di payudara menjadi abnormal dan membesar di luar kawalan, menjadi suatu ketumbuhan. Terdapat beberapa jenis kanser payudara – kanser payudara tidak invasif dan invasif. Kanser payudara tidak invasif adalah jenis paling lazim yang berada di dalam kelenjar susu atau lobul payudara tanpa mengganggu tisu payudara yang normal. Kanser tidak invasif juga digelar pra-kanser atau carcinoma in situ (kanser tidak merebak atau setempat). Berlainan pula dengan kanser invasif, ketumbuhan telah merebak ke tisu sekeliling, di luar kelenjar atau lobul payudara. Istilah ‘kanser payudara peringkat awal’ merujuk kepada ketumbuhan yang mungkin telah merebak ke nodus limfa di sekeliling payudara atau ketiak tetapi belum merebak ke bahagian tubuh yang lain.
Kanser payudara juga terjadi kepada lelaki?
Kurang dari satu peratus kes kanser payudara terjadi kepada lelaki. Kanser payudara dalam kaum lelaki berlaku kerana ketidakseimbangan hormon yang menggalakkan pertumbuhan tisu payudara lelaki. Tanda-tanda yang perlu dikenal pasti termasuk benjolan, ketulan, atau berlakunya penebalan pada bahagian tisu payudara, dada atau ketiak, serta perubahan pada payudara atau puting yang perlu diperiksa oleh doktor.
Faktor risiko kanser payudara
Kanser payudara adalah penyakit kompleks yang boleh berpunca dari pelbagai faktor. Sebahagian faktor seperti genetik dan persekitaran adalah di luar kawalan kita, tetapi kajian menunjukkan kita mampu mengurangkan kira-kira 70% risiko kanser seumur hidup.
Cara efektif untuk mengurangkan risko kanser termasuklah berhenti merokok, mengehadkan pengambilan alkohol, mencapai berat badan yang sihat dan selalu bersenam. Gaya pemakanan sihat juga tidak terkecuali. Meskipun tiada satu jenis pun makanan yang boleh menghalang atau menyebabkan kanser payudara, pemakanan kita memainkan peranan kira-kira 30-40% dalam pengurangan risiko kanser.
Sesetengah makanan berpotensi mengekalkan kesihatan, meningkatkan sistem imun dan membantu mengurangkan risiko kanser payudara. Kajian menunjukkan pengambilan nutrien dari pelbagai jenis makanan terutamanya sayur-sayuran, buah-buahan, kekacang dan bijirin penuh boleh membekalkan tenaga optimum untuk tubuh.
Breast cancer in Malaysia
Breast cancer is the most common cancer occurring and diagnosed among women in Malaysia. About 1 in 11 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. The disease burden of breast cancer affects 43 per cent of all women living with cancer diagnosed at late stages in Malaysia1. In 2018, about two million new cases were diagnosed worldwide. In fact, every 15 seconds, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer somewhere in the world, and more than six women die of breast cancer every five minutes globally. And while it’s rare, every year, approximately 2,700 men are diagnosed with breast cancer2. The truth is that, no one is immune from the effects of breast cancer. And although you are fortunate enough to never experience breast cancer yourself, chances are you’ll meet someone who has breast cancer throughout your life. Regardless what that journey might be, we hope that this will help you navigate your journey.
How did it happen?
Breast cancer arises when certain cells in the breast becomes abnormal and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumour. Did you know there are many different types of breast cancer? Namely non-invasive breast cancers and invasive breast cancers. Non-invasive breast cancers are the most common type of breast cancers that are contained within the milk ducts or lobules in the breast. They have not invaded or grown into the normal breast tissue. Non-invasive cancers, sometimes referred to as pre-cancers and are also referred to as carcinoma in situ. However, invasive breast cancers are known to have spread into the surrounding breast tissue, outside the ducts or lobules of the breast. The term ‘Early breast cancer’ refers to cancer within the breast that may spread to surrounding lymph nodes in the breast or armpit (axilla) but not elsewhere in the body.
Breast cancer in men!
Less than one percent of all breast cancer cases occur in men. Male breast cancer happens when hormones are out of balance and promotes the development of male breast tissue. Warning signs may include a hard knot, lump, or thickening in the breast, chest or underarm area, and any changes in the breast or nipple should be examined by a physician.
Risk factors of breast cancer
As breast cancer is a complex disease with many contributing factors. Some risk factors for cancer risk factors, such as genetics and environment, are out of our control, but research shows that we have the power to change about 70% of our lifetime risk of cancer, which includes our diet.
Some effective steps to reduce risk of cancer includes avoiding cigarettes, limiting alcohol, reaching a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise. Adopting a healthy diet can also play an important role. Although there is no single food or diet can prevent or cause you from getting breast cancer, diet is thought to be partly responsible for about 30% to 40% of all cancers.
But some foods can keep your body the healthiest it can be, boost your immune system, and help to minimize your risk for breast cancer. Research has shown that getting the nutrients you need from a variety of foods, especially fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, can make you feel your best and give your body the energy it needs.
About The Author
This content is reviewed and/or written by the Yakult Malaysia Editorial Team of dietitians, nutritionists, and food technologists to ensure scientific accuracy. Learn more about our expert team and editorial standards here.