Breast Cancer Awareness

byAlbandariAlmutairi

Whenever someone mentions cancer, a shiver of fear probably goes down their spine. It’s commonly painted as a fatal disease, but what is cancer, and is it as dangerous as people say?

In our bodies, cells die when damaged. In that case, cells divide to produce new ones, meaning cells only grow when given signals to increase. Cancer is the abnormal growth of cells and usually spreads to other body parts, unlike normal cells. Furthermore, cancerous cells tend to ignore signals that tell cells to stop dividing or to die. Not only do cancerous cells hide from the immune system, but they may also trick the immune system into protecting them instead of finishing them off.

But how exactly does cancer develop? Cancer may be caused by genes, such as accidental cell division, inherited from parents, or DNA damage, like exposure to UV rays or chemicals in tobacco smoke. The body typically eliminates cells with damaged DNA before turning cancerous, but its ability to do so decreases as humans age, which is a part of why people have a higher risk of cancer as they age.

Cancer is fatal, but it relies heavily on the type of cancer and whether it’s too late for treatment, which is why it’s vital to do hospital check-ups as you’re older. Cancer is only dangerous when it affects your body’s functions and whether it has spread to other organs. Once the cancer cells have been applied to another distant area of the body, eliminating them is impossible.

According to medical students from Taif University who visited SAMIS to increase awareness of the condition, one in eight women may develop cancer at some point in their lifetime. Even though breast cancer is common, we can prevent it by maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and abstaining from alcohol.

During their visits, they displayed their expertise through their presentations. As medical students, they held knowledge concerning cancer. Although the students haven’t yet advanced to the point of aiding breast cancer patients, they have observed skilled medical professionals at work. Since breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer affecting women in Saudi Arabia, they wanted to ensure that women know the risks, preventative measures, and treatments. While men have a slight chance of getting breast cancer, the focus of awareness efforts is primarily on women since they are more susceptible to the disease. It means that after age 40, women should get yearly testing, whereas males don’t need to worry about breast cancer screenings.

There are two forms of breast cancer, but fortunately, the less severe type affects 80% of women. It’s also the type doctors can control, so it’s relatively easy to treat. If discovered early, the survival rate is 97%. While people can’t prevent the disease with the factors of age and genes, it’s possible to help against the disease by getting early treatment. While there is no such thing as genetic testing for the disease, one could get a mammogram or an x-ray. Lastly, the knowledge of medicines throughout the different stages of breast cancer is thought to be the most exciting development in the breast cancer field.

There are various methods to support someone you know battling the disease, including offering emotional support and looking for treatments to help them recover from the condition, whether it be chemical medicine or surgery.

Overall, cancer is a significant disease to prevent, so ensure to eat healthily and maintain a good weight. Eating a balanced diet may reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. The college students’ visit to SAMIS was a rare opportunity to learn more about the prevention of the disease, as well as the importance of taking care of your health before spending the future regretful, wishing you could’ve done something different in hindsight.