EL AL | Atmosphere

What are the signs to look out for? • A lump in your breast • A change in the shape or size of your breast • Swelling or retraction of the breast’s skin • An itching of the breast that never passes • Unusual discomfort or pain in the breast • Redness and a feeling of heat in the breast area without it being linked to breastfeeding or infection • The appearance of prominent or swollen veins in the breast area • A retracted nipple • A lump in the nipple • A wound that won’t heal or eczema on the nipple that won’t pass • Nipple discharge (one that isn’t connected to breastfeeding) • A lump in the underarm area • A swelling of the underarm area It’s important to remember that most changes that occur in the breast area don’t imply the existence of a cancerous tumor, but if an unusual change does take place, make sure you talk about it with your doctor. Preventative Genetic Testing In Israel, women of Jewish Ashkenazi heritage, even if only partial - and based on self-declaration - are entitled to get tested for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes as part of their health package. They are entitled to such a test even if there is no history of the disease in their family. The test is carried out once during the patient’s lifetime. If a woman has a first-degree relative who has been diagnosed with breast cancer or has recovered from it, her GP may recommend undergoing a genetic consultation. The genetic consultant will decide whether to

Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among women in Israel and the world. In Israel, around 5,500 women are diagnosed with the disease each year, and 90% of those who get diagnosed are likely to fully recover, if the disease is detected early enough. If you are over 50, make sure you get a mammogram, as it is the most efficient way to detect the disease, even at its earliest stages, when manual palpation could fail to detect it. Early Detection Saves Lives A basic rule of thumb regarding cancer prevention, is that the earlier the disease is detected, the higher the chances of recovery. An initiative led by the Israel Cancer Association (ICA), in collaboration with the Israeli Health Ministry, has invited women between the ages of 50 and 74 to undergo screening tests and mammograms, and the response has been among the highest in all the OECD countries. Who needs to get tested? • Women over 50 should undergo a mammogram every two years • Women at high-risk should undergo a mammogram once a year, from the age of 40 or even before that if their physician recommends it • Women with a genetic predisposition should undergo an MRI in addition to a mammogram Early signs that lead to detection It’s recommended that every woman between the ages of 50 and 74 undergo a mammogram once every two years. But no matter your age or situation - whether pregnant or breastfeeding - if you feel a lump or a change in how your breasts feel, talk about it with your doctor.

carry out further genetic testing. A woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, especially if she has a family history of the disease, should undergo a genetic consultation in order to evaluate whether she needs further genetic testing, as it could help finetune the type of therapy she receives. A Healthy Lifestyle Reduces Risks A healthy lifestyle can reduce your risks of developing breast cancer in the future. Some basic healthy habits to adopt: • Physical exercise: make sure you get some form of physical exercise over the course of the day. It is recommended you get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. It’s important to remember that any activity is better than no activity at all. • Less red meat and processed food: reduce your consumption of red meat, processed, fried, smoked, salty and preserved foods. • Maintain a healthy weight: avoid overconsuming calories • Reduce your consumption of alcohol: keep your consumption of alcohol down to one drink a day. • Drink more water: up your water intake and reduce your consumption of sugary drinks • Avoid smoking: smoking damages the health of the smoker as well as that of those around him. • Breastfeeding is recommended: it has been scientifically proven that breastfeeding for 6 to 12 months reduces a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer. ■

For more details, scan the QR code or log onto cancer.org.il

27

ATMOSPHERE OCTOBER 2022